ANDRE GREIPEL denied Mark Cavendish in a thrilling sprint finish to win stage 10 of the Tour de France, a 158km run from Aurillac to Carmaux.

Mark Cavendish today suffered a surprise Tour de France defeat as his arch-rival Andre Greipel triumphed in Carmaux.

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.

NICOLAS ROCHE notched his highest stage finishing so far in this year’s Tour de France with a fine 15th place on the leg-breaking 215 kilometre trek from Le Mans to Châteauroux yesterday.

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.

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

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.

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

CYCLING: OMEGA Pharma-Lotto rider Bart de Clercq held on to win the seventh stage of the Giro d’Italia yesterday with race leader Pieter Weening retaining the pink jersey.

A powerful sprint saw Mark Cavendish rack up the third victory of his career in the Scheldeprijs Classic.