Greipel pips Cavendish to stage win

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

The 26-year-old from the Isle of Man, who won stages five and seven last week, was in a strong position in the finale of the 158-kilometre 10th stage from Aurillac to Carmaux, but Greipel (Omega Pharma-Lotto) pipped the Briton on the line in a time of 3 hours 31 minutes and 21 seconds.

The duo were team-mates and outspoken rivals last season, with Greipel denied his chance to ride in the Grand Tours by Cavendish’s presence in the HTC-Highroad squad.

Ireland's Nicolas Roche was in the final pack, finishing in 19th place.

The AG2R La Mondiale rider is in 13th place in the overall standings, three minutes and 45 seconds behind race leader Thomas Voeckler of Team Europcar.