Toucan

Mark Cavendish has made history by becoming the first British rider to win three stages of the Tour de France.

The 23-year-old Team Columbia rider won the 168.5-kilometre ride from Lavelanet to Narbonne today.

Cavendish was in danger of being muscled out by other riders towards the end of the race, but he managed to use his electric pace to sprint clear of the rest of the cyclists.

France's Sebastien Chavanel finished in second place with Belgian Geert Steegmans coming in at third.

"I'm still fastest across the line," said Cavendish, who beats the record of fellow British rider Barry Hoban – a two stage winner in 1969 and 1973.

"It is so nice to get another stage win. It was really windy all day and the pace was really fast but a win is a win.

"This was the hardest of all three sprints. It was really fast all day. I'm glad I could do that for my team-mates especially for how hard they've worked in the last few days."

Australian Cadel Evans of the Silence-Lotto, team finished in the main peloton to keep a hold of the yellow jersey. Luxembourg's Frank Schleck is breathing down Evans' neck and is now only a second behind the leader.

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