Mark Cavendish claims record Tour win
Mark Cavendish produced a trademark stunning sprint finish to clinch his fifth stage win of the 2009 Tour and a British record ninth in total.
The Manxman overtook Barry Hoban’s record, adding his fifth win to the four victories he claimed last year.
Norway’s Thor Hushovd could not match Mark Cavendish’s surge to the line but came in second to keep the green jersey.
A split in the peloton saw Britain’s podium hopeful Bradley Wiggins lose four seconds to rival Lance Armstrong.
Lance Armstrong came home 12th, only two places in front of Wiggins, but with a big enough gap to be given a separate time.
The seven-time champion, who lies third in the general classification, is now 15 seconds ahead of fourth-placed Wiggins.
Spain’s Alberto Contador retained the leader’s yellow jersey after finishing the 178km stage from Bourgoin Jallieu to Aubenas in the same group as Wiggins and second-placed Andy Schleck.
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/8167610.stm
Watch Mark Cavendish win stage 19 of the Tour de France 2009:
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Spain’s Alberto Contador launched a major attack on the climb up to Verbier to win Stage 15 of the tour
Spaniard Alberto Contador launched a major attack on the climb up to Verbier to win Stage 15 and put himself in pole position to win the Tour de France.
The 2007 champion left Astana team-mate Lance Armstrong in his wake with 5.6km left to take over the yellow jersey.
He opened up a lead of one minute, 37 seconds over Armstrong in the overall standings, with Bradley Wiggins moving up to third, nine seconds further back.
A superb display of climbing saw the Briton take fifth in the Alpine stage.
Armstrong, who some predicted would mount a strong challenge on the final climb, could only finish ninth, one minute 35 seconds adrift, to leave his hopes of an eighth Tour victory looking remote.
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/8158167.stm
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Serguei Ivanov broke away at a key stage to claim victory in the 14th stage of the Tour de France
Serguei Ivanov broke away at a key stage to claim victory in the 14th stage of the Tour de France, which was marred by the death of a spectator.
The Russian champion from the Katusha team escaped from a group of 12 riders with just over 10km left on the 199km route from Colmar to Besancon.
American George Hincapie finished in the breakaway group to move from 28th to second behind Rinaldo Nocentini.
Mark Cavendish lost his stage points for barging Thor Hushovd in the sprint.
Hushovd, who leads the Briton in the green jersey competition, lodged a complaint which was upheld by race officials.
Cavendish, who crossed the line in 13th ahead of the Norwegian, was then disqualified from the stage and placed last, allowing Hushovd to increase his lead in the points race to 18.
“He just tried to push me in the barriers. I could pass him and when he saw me coming he tried to push me into the barriers, and that’s not fair game,” said the Cervelo Test Team rider.
“If he’s faster than me then I can accept it but when you don’t follow the rules of fair game, then that’s no good.”
Race jury director Martin Bruin backed up Hushovd’s stance, explaining: “Mark Cavendish was disqualified because he did not stay on his line while he was next to Thor Hushovd.”
source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/cycling/8157528.stm
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