Angry Cavendish in crash controversy

Marcel Kittel won stage 10 of the Tour de France in Saint-Malo after Mark Cavendish was involved in a collision during the sprint to the line.

Kittel broke in the final few metres to pip Andre Greipel over the line, while Cavendish crossed in third having sat up in the final few metres.

The Manxman had been well placed when the sprint began but then clashed with Kittel’s lead-out man Tom Veelers, sending the Dutchman crashing to the floor. Although Cavendish remained upright, his rhythm had been lost and he gave up the chase. He was later involved in an angry confrontation with reporters and snatched a tape recorder from one of the reporters and retreated inside the team bus. .

Asked if the crash was his fault, Cavendish snapped, saying: “Was what my fault?” and then disappeared inside with the tape recorder, which was later returned by the team’s press officer.

Cavendish could be facing further sanctions for the crash, with the British national champion appearing to veer in front of Veelers as riders battled for position.

After Veelers was sent sprawling to the floor, Cavendish looked back and never regained his rhythm, sitting up in third place as Kittel beat Andre Greipel over the line.

While he had not been in the mood to face questions, Cavendish used Twitter to give his side of the story.

Writing before he had seen a replay, Cavendish wrote: “Whatever has happened, if I’m at fault, I’m sorry.

“There’s no way I’d move on a rider deliberately, especially one not contesting a sprint. I hope @tom_veelers is ok.”

Moments later, he tweeted again: “Just seen the sprint. I believe I didn’t move line. I’m actually coming past Veelers & we touch elbows when he moves. Anyway, hope he’s ok.”

Remarkably, nobody else came down despite Veelers being stricken in the middle of the road with the peloton bearing down fast.

Chris Froome in the race leader’s jersey was able to get past the incident unscathed as team-mate Ian Stannard protected him towards the finish.

Meanwhile Irish rider Dan Martin remains eighth overall after he crossed the line safely in the main peloton, thus not losing any time on the other GC riders.

The Garmin SHARP rider was 42nd on the stage and still trails Froome by 2.28 while Nicolas Roche did slip down the standings after he lost 1.40secs yesterday. He is now in 47th place overall at 31.50.