Cavendish sprints to stage win

A PERFECT finish saw British speedster Mark Cavendish win the second stage of the 2009 Tour de France to further his standing as cycling’s leading sprinter.

The 24-year-old won four stages in 2008 before exiting early to focus on the Beijing Olympics and yesterday’s victory was his fifth career win in cycling’s most prestigious race.

The victory gives Cavendish increasing hope of reaching Paris on July 26 in the green jersey for the points classification champion and was his 42nd professional triumph, surpassing the previous best by a British rider of 41 held by Chris Boardman.