Mark Cavendish stage 12 tour de france 2008

Carlos Sastre may have won the Tour de France, but for many British fans this year's Tour will be remembered for one reason: Mark Cavendish.

The sprint specialist from the Isle of Man rewrote the history book by becoming the first British rider to win four stages of the Tour, doubling the previous record held by Barry Hoban since 1973.

Cavendish's wins weren't lucky - it's hard to be lucky four times in the Tour - but down to his amazing finishing speed, a dedicated team and solid self belief.

Here we take a pictorial look back at Cavendish's 2008 Tour de France.

Tour de France 2008

Cavendish at the team presentation in Brest

Tour de France 2008

Rolling off the team presentation stage

Tour de France 2008

Already the focus of the media, and the race hasn't even started

Tour de France 2008

Cavendish looked happy to be at the Tour

Tour de France 2008

Surrounded by Columbia team-mates on stage one

Tour de France 2008

Leg plasters on stage two

Tour de France 2008

The only view of Cavendish his sprint rivals will get later in the race, stage three

Tour de France 2008

Stage four time trial

Tour de France 2008

Win number one: Cavendish takes stage five

Tour de France 2008

Congratulations from team boss Bob Stapleton after stage five

Tour de France 2008

All smiles with Columbia Directeur Sportif Brian Holm

Tour de France 2008

Exiting stage five dope control

Tour de France 2008

Finding the time to relax in the riders' village

Tour de France 2008

Wrapped up before stage eight

Tour de France 2008

Wind number two: blasting past the opposition on rain-soaked stage eight

Tour de France 2008

Nice one Cav!

Tour de France 2008

Happy when it rains, especially when you've just won a stage [eight]

Tour de France 2008

Stage 12 finish...

Tour de France 2008

Win number three: stage 12

Tour de France 2008

... completes the hat-trick

Tour de France 2008

Stage 12 podium celebrations

Tour de France 2008

Part of Cavendish's team Giant

Tour de France 2008

Win number four: stage 13

Tour de France 2008

Cavendish before the start of his last day at the 2008 - stage 14. With the Alps looming, and Olympic preparations to be made, Cavendish quits the race after the stage whilst he is still ahead

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: STAGE REPORTS

Sastre wins 2008 Tour de France, Steegmans takes final stage

Stage 20: Sastre sets up overall Tour victory

Stage 19: Chavanel wins, time trial showdown looms

Stage 18: Burghardt shows that Columbia can win without Cav

Stage 17: Sastre wins on Alpe d'Huez, takes lead

Stage 16: Dessel wins

Stage 15: Schleck takes lead in the Alps

Stage 14: Oscar Freire wins in Digne-les-Bains

Stage 13: Cavendish takes fourth win

Stage 12: Cavendish makes it three

Stage 11: Arvesen wins

Stage 10: Evans takes yellow jersey by one second

Stage nine: Ricco wins in the Pyrenees

Stage eight: Cavendish wins again in Toulouse

Stage seven: Sanchez takes action-packed stage

Stage six: Ricco storms to win

Stage five: Cavendish takes first Tour win

Stage four: Schumacher wins TT and takes race lead

Stage three: Dumoulin wins stage from break

Stage two: Hushovd wins chaotic sprint

Stage one: Valverde wins

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: NEWS

Sastre dedicates Tour success to late brother-in-law Jimenez

Schlecks' father's car searched

Analysis: tactical battle on L'Alpe d'Huez [stage 17]

Schleck promises to attack main rivals

Schleck ready to defend Tour lead [stage 15]

Rest day news round-up [July 21]

Saunier Duval riders: "We are honest"

Cavendish talks to Cycling Weekly after quitting Tour

Schleck savours first ever Tour de France jersey [stage 15]

Comment: Why Cav is right to go home today

Cavendish pulls out of the Tour

Barloworld to end cycling sponsorship

Ricco speaks on Italian television

Cavendish joins the all-time greats

Saunier Duval sack Ricco and Piepoli

Tour bosses say fight against doping continues

Ricco denies doping at the Tour

Saunier Duval pull out of Tour

Tour's top ten changes

Ricco positive for EPO at Tour

Analysis: Tour de France rest day summary

Cavendish battles through Pyrenees

Evans suffers but takes yellow jersey [stage 10]

Analysis: Hautacam shakes up 2008 Tour

Ricco silences critics with solo attack in Pyrenees [stage nine]

Cavendish talks about his second stage win [stage eight]

Beltran heads home but doubts remain about other Tour riders

David Millar: the dope controls are working

Manuel Beltran tests positive for EPO at the Tour

Comment: How the Tour rediscovered its spirit

Doping back in Tour de France headlines

Millar: close but no cigar in Super-Besse [stage six]

Super-Besse shows form of main contenders [stage six]

Millar to go for yellow [stage six]

Team Columbia's reaction to Cavendish's win [stage five]

Cavendish talks about his Tour stage win

Tour comment: Why Evans should be happy [stage four]

Millar: Still aiming for Tour yellow jersey [stage 4]

Who is Romain Feillu?

Cavendish disappointed with stage two result

Millar too close to Tour yellow jersey

Stage 2 preview: A sprint finish for Cavendish?

Millar happy after gains precious seconds in Plumelec

Valverde delighted with opening Tour stage win

Comment: Is Valverde's win a good thing for the Tour?

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: PHOTOS

Stage 20

Stage 19

Stage 18

Stage 17

Stage 15

Stage 14

Stage 13

Stage 12

Stage 11

Stage 11

Stage 10

Stage nine

Stage eight

Stage seven

Stage six

Stage five

Stage four

Stage three

Stage two

Stage one

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: BLOGS

Life at the Tour part five

Life at the Tour part four

Life at the Tour part three

Life at the Tour part two

Life at the Tour part one

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2008: GUIDE

Tour de France 2008 homepage>>

News and features>>

All the riders (start list, list of abandons)>>

Day by day summary>>

Route & stages>>

Teams and riders>>

About the Tour>>

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Founded in 1891, Cycling Weekly and its team of expert journalists brings cyclists in-depth reviews, extensive coverage of both professional and domestic racing, as well as fitness advice and 'brew a cuppa and put your feet up' features. Cycling Weekly serves its audience across a range of platforms, from good old-fashioned print to online journalism, and video.