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| Cavendish sprints for the line [AFP] |
Mark Cavendish made it clear he is probably untouchable in mass finishes on the Tour de France this year when he stunned the rest of the field to win the second stage.
Left in the front with three of his Columbia teammates after a crash in the final turn of the 187km stage from Monaco had split the bunch, the Briton was forced to an unexpectedly long sprint in the last 500 metres.
It made his victory all the more impressive as second-placed American Tyler Farrar and third-placed Romain Feillu of France never looking in a position to challenge him.
Swiss Fabian Cancellara retained the overall leader's yellow jersey after finishing in the peloton.
Cavendish, the winner of four stages in 2008, praised his teammates who had led and protected him in the last 20km to place him in ideal conditions for the finale.
Superb
"They're superb, really intelligent guys and efficient too," he said on Sunday.
"When you see the work of these eight riders riding for me, it's impressive.
"I'm glad I could win it. There's a lot of people involved in a sprint like this."
While Cavendish is already the most successful British professional rider, he can now set his sights on Barry Hoban's British record of eight stage victories on the Tour.
"I had two goals on this Tour, one was to go to the end of the Tour and take as many wins along the way. But I don't want to look too far ahead," he said.
The heat, with temperatures reaching 40C, was merciless in the peloton.
"I cannot remember riding in such heat. It was like riding in a hot bath," said Cancellara.
Breakaway
The weather did not stop four riders launching the first long breakaway in this Tour started on the third category climb to La Turbie, after 13km.
Finn Jussi Veikkanen, Dutchman Stef Clement, Frenchmen Cyril Dessel and Stephane Auge joined forces for 166km and held a maximum lead of 5:20 with 100km to go.
In the last 40km, Cavendish's teammate Mark Renshaw seized control of the peloton to increase the pace and the gap gradually diminished.
The four were caught with 9km to go.
American Lance Armstrong, back in the saddle after three-and-a-half years in retirement, remained 10th overall after riding in the peloton all day.
"The goal was just to avoid trouble," the seven-times Tour champion said.
Spaniard Alberto Contador, second overall at 18 seconds down and the overwhelming race favourite, also took it easy.
"It was a quiet day," he said.
"Saxo Bank did the work, they controlled the race, it was fine."
Monday's third stage from Marseille to La Grande Motte could be another tricky one, with strong winds forecast on the 196.5km along the Mediterranean coastline.
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