Cavendish brushes off 'racist' claims

British cyclist Mark Cavendish has denied accusations he is “racist” and “anti-French”.

The claims came in yesterday morning’s L’Equipe newspaper, which quoted an unnamed rider saying he had insulted French rivals, and tainted the Manxman’s fourth stage win of this year’s Tour de France.

The 24-year-old: “Someone showed me the article and I had to laugh.

“It’s a small article by an anonymous writer and with comments from an anonymous rider.

“I’ve got to take it as a compliment if they’ve got nothing else to write about. They can’t criticise my cycling, so they start this.

“I love to come here (France) and I love to come here and race. For sure I’m going to have a go at some lad – because I’m like that.

“But their nationality, and what they look like or where they come from is irrelevant.”