Friday, July 23, 2010

STAGE 18: GUESS WHO GETS HIS 4th SPRINT WIN?

Out of the mountains, on to the flats and a sprint finish.  And at the line it's... it's...

...the Man from Manx.

Mark Cavendish again out-powered all rivals across the finish line of Stage 18 for his 4th stage win in this year's edition of the Tour de France.

With the points garnered from this win, the Brit moved himself closer into contention for the Green Jersey.  He has 197 points, Norway's Thor Hushovd has 203, and Italy's Alessandro Pettachi has 207.

So, the contest for bragging rights as the best sprinter will not be settled until Sunday in Paris on the Champs Elysees, where 34 points will be up for grabs.  Cavendish can win it, but only if he finishes numerous places ahead of Pettachi and Hushovd.

Regardless of whether or not he claims the Green Jersey, Cavendish's four stage wins have clearly established him as the dominant sprinter in the Tour de France for the second year in a row.

There was no change in the General Classification standings: Alberto Contador has an 8-second lead over Andy Schleck headed into tomorrow's 52-kilometer individual time trial.  It will be Schleck's last chance to win the Tour and Contador's chance to win with emphasis.

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