Britain’s Mark Cavendish returned to form to win stage five of the Tour
de France after a sprint finish in Montargis. It was the 11th stage win
of Cavendish’s Tour de France career and made amends for
disappointments in the first and fourth stages of this year’s race.
The Garmin-Transitions team seemed in control of the lead-out, but
Cavendish’s HTC-Columbia team-mate Mark Renshaw burst through the centre
and provided the perfect platform for the Manxman to launch his sprint.
Milram’s Gerald Ciolek remained on Cavendish’s wheel to take second
spot, though he never looked like overhauling his rival, while Team
Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen was third. Prologue winner Fabian Cancellara
(Saxo Bank) finished safely in the pack to retain the leader’s yellow
jersey.
