He then entered his first classic race , Milan - San Remo , and , after a week of uncharacteristically humble pre-race statements , rode effectively over the climbs that his rivals had said made this race impossible for him to win - and then tracked down Cervélo TestTeam rider Heinrich Haussler in the last 200 m to narrowly win the sprint and the race , Cavendish 's first victory in a race known as one of the five monuments of cycling .
He then entered his first classic race , Milan - San Remo , and , after a week of uncharacteristically humble pre-race statements , rode effectively over the climbs that his rivals had said made this race impossible for him to win - and then tracked down Heinrich Haussler in the last 200 meters to narrowly win the sprint and the race , Cavendish 's first victory in a race known as one of the `` five monuments of cycling '' .