Tour de France

Tenth stage: Sprint star Cavendish shines again

Article published on the 2009-07-14 Latest update 2009-07-14 18:08 TU

Mark Cavendish celebrates winning the 10th stage after finishing ahead of Norway's Thor Hushovd on 14 July, 2009
(Photo: Reuters/Charles Platiau)

Mark Cavendish won his third stage in this year's Tour with another fantastic sprint finish on the 194.5-kilometre ride to Issoudun.

The British rider timed his attack to perfection as he sped past Norway’s Thor Hushovd, his main rival for the green jersey, in the final 200 metres.

A quartet of riders, including three Frenchman seeking a Bastille Day victory, had led with 20 kilometres to go.

But they were reeled in by the chasing pack, with Cavendish quickest to finish.

Italian Rinaldo Nocentini retained the overall leader's yellow jersey ahead of Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong.

Nocentini took the race lead on Friday and hopes he can hold it at least until the hilly stage 13 ride from Vittel to Colmar.

"I hope to keep the yellow jersey as long as possible," he said. "At least until Friday night."

Cavendish, who now has seven stage wins in just three Tour appearances, was quick to praise his Columbia team's united approach.

"There was a slight incline in the last kilometre. We knew that was coming and we had to go early," the 24-year-old said. "We knew we just had to be in the front and we did that. I think we were the only team that kept our formation - it takes guts to do that."

"It's an important victory for me," he continued.  "I wanted to prove today that I didn't come through the Pyrenees for nothing, and the team rode brilliantly for me again."

Stage 10 results:

1. Mark Cavendish (GBR/THR) 4hr 46min 43sec (average speed: 40.702 km/h)

2. Thor Hushovd (NOR/CTT) same time

3. Tyler Farrar (USA/GRM) “

4. Fabio-Leonardo Duque (COL/COF) “

5. José Joaquin Rojas (ESP/GCE) “

6. Lloyd Mondory (FRA/ALM) “

7. Kenny van Hummel (NED/SKS) “

8. William Bonnet (FRA/BBO) “ 0:00.

9. Daniele Bennati (ITA/LIQ) “ 0:00.

10. Saïd Haddou (FRA/BBO) “ 0:00.

Overall results:

1. Rinaldo Nocentini (ITA/ALM) 39hr 11min 04sec

2. Alberto Contador (ESP/AST) +6 secs

3. Lance Armstrong (USA/AST) +8

4. Andreas Kloden (GER/AST) +54

5. Levi Leipheimer (USA/AST) +54

6. Tony Martin (GER/THR) + 1 min 00

7. Bradley Wiggins (GBR/GRM) +1:01

8. Christian Vande Velde (USA/GRM) +1:24

9. Andy Schleck (LUX/SAX) +1:49

10. Vincenzo Nibali (ITA/LIQ) +1:54