Mark Cavendish today claimed a the 18th Tour de France stage win of his career and seized the points classification leader’s green jersey.

NICOLAS ROCHE moved upone place to 13th overall in this year’s Tour de France after he produced another superb ride on yesterday’s 208 kilometre ninth stage from Issoire to Saint-Flour.

Team Sky’s Juan Antonio Flecha and Vacansoleil’s Johnny Hoogerland were today wiped out by a television vehicle as an incident-packed Tour de France suffered further casualties in the Massif Central.

Rui Costa won today’s eighth stage of the Tour de France as Thor Hushovd retained the yellow jersey as the race entered the Massif Central.

British cycling fans endured a day of mixed fortunes today as Team Sky leader Bradley Wiggins crashed out of the Tour de France before Mark Cavendish enjoyed a stage seven success in Chateauroux.

Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford’s ambition was vindicated today as Geraint Thomas set up a first Tour de France stage win for the British squad and Norwegian prodigy Edvald Boasson Hagen.

MARK CAVENDISH yesterday scorched to the 16th Tour de France stage win of his career before hinting at the demons which lie beneath his combustible personality.

Great Britain's Mark Cavendish today scorched to the 16th Tour de France stage win of his career before hinting at the demons which lie beneath his combustible personality.

Bradley Wiggins was in confident mood as the Tour de France entered a fifth day of racing today.

DEFENDING Tour de France champion Alberto Contador punched the air in celebration at the end of yesterday’s fourth stage in Brittany — despite being beaten to victory.

Alberto Contador was beaten to victory by Cadel Evans in a dramatic finish to the fourth stage of the Tour de France in Brittany.

Mark Cavendish and his sprint adversaries will likely step to one side today, with the Tour de France fourth stage set to shake up the race for the yellow jersey.

Tyler Farrar won today’s Tour de France third stage in Brittany – giving the United States an Independence Day victory.

NORWAY’S Thor Hushovd swapped the world champion’s rainbow jersey for the Tour de France race leader’s maillot jaune yesterday after his Garmin-Cervelo squad won the 42.5 kilometre team time-trial around Les Essarts.

Belgium's Philippe Gilbert seized the Tour de France race leader's yellow jersey with victory in Les Herbiers today.

Wouter Weylandt’s team led the field through the finish of the fourth stage of the Giro d’Italia as riders paid tribute to the Belgian who died yesterday.