Cavendish dealing with the demons

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.

The 26-year-old from the Isle of Man came from behind to belatedly open his 2011 Tour account on the crash-strewn 164.5-kilometres fifth stage from Carhaix to Cap Frehel on the Brittany coast.

Cavendish, who is reportedly set to join Team Sky at the expiry of his HTC-Highroad contract, came off the wheel of fellow Briton Geraint Thomas before accelerating around to take the win ahead of Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto), who inherited the green jersey from previous incumbent Jose Joaquin Rojas (Movistar), who finished third.