Cavendish Easily Scores Fourth – 97th Tour de France, Stage 18
After several long days slogging up mountains, the sprinters finally had another opportunity to show their wares.
Despite a break of four — Matti Breschel (Saxo Bank), Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), Benoit Vaugrenard (FDJ) and Daniel Oss (Liquigas) — getting off the front early on the stage and Oss' unwillingness to relent in the closing kilometers, the 198km Stage 18 from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux ended in a bunch sprint, or at least it started out that way.
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) was simply untouchable in the run-up into the line. The Isle of Man rider would have the opportunity to look back three times in the closing meters to assess his would be competition before celebrating his fourth victory in this year's Tour and 14th overall in his young career.
Julian Dean (Garmin - Transitions) and Alessandro Petacchi (Lampre-Farnese Vini) finished in second and third, respectively. By virtue of his third place finish, Petacchi reclaimed ownership of the maillot vert from Thor Hushovd (Cervelo Test Team).
Stage 18 Results
1. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team HTC - Columbia
2. Julian Dean (NZl) Garmin - Transitions
3. Alessandro Petacchi (Ita) Lampre-Farnese Vini
General Classification After Stage 18
1. Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
2. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank - 0:00:08
3. Samuel Sánchez Gonzalez (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 0:03:32
4. Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0:03:53
5. Jurgen Van Den Broeck (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto - 0:05:27
6. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank - 0:06:41
7. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha - 0:07:03
8. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin - Transitions - 0:09:18
9. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas-Doimo - 0:10:12
10. Christopher Horner (USA) Team Radioshack - 0:10:37
Jersey Leaders After Stage 18
maillot jaune - Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana
maillot vert - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
maillot à pois rouges - Anthony Charteau (Fra) Bbox Bouygues Telecom
maillot blanc - Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
Next: Stage 19 -Bordeaux to Pauillac (52km)
Photo: Pascal Pavani/AFP/Getty Images
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