Cavendish survives the first Tour mountain stage with ease

Mark Cavendish, Tour de France 2009, stage 4 TTT

Mark Cavendish (Columbia) finished safely in the main gruppetto on stage 10 and kept the green jersey for another day. He finished 137th at 28-29 behind Brice Feillu (Agritubel).

His main rival for the green jersey, Thor Hushovd (Cervelo), finished in the same time but at the back of the gruppetto, in 171st place. He still leads Hushovd by one point in the green jersey competition. Cavendish has 106 points, to Hushovd's 105.

Cavendish had to change his back wheel at the foot of the climb after a rider smashed into him but he quickly got back to the main bunch and rode to the finish with the likes of Stuart O'Grady (Saxo Bank), Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and team mate Mark Renshaw.

“I wasn't in the crash, it was on the right. I stopped for a few seconds but then a rider ploughed into my back wheel and ripped out the spokes. I'm lucky I don't have to buy my own wheels,” he said.

“It was a bit of nightmare and I had to wait but Bernie gave me his wheel and so I was able to chase and get back on. I would have preferred to take it easy in the gruppetto rather than rider hard to get there but its okay. I survived.”

Cavendish confirmed that he is climbing much better this year.

“I just try and ride through the climbs. I'm suffering but not more than anyone else. It's just a case of getting through it now, rather than struggling to get through it.” he said.

TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 LINKS

Tour de France 2009 - the hub: Index to reports, photos, previews and more.

STAGE REPORTS

Stage seven: Feillu wins at Arcalis, Nocentini takes yellow, Contador leap-frogs Lance

Stage six: Millar's brave bid denied on Barcelona hill as Hushovd triumphs

Stage five: Voeckler survives chase to win his first Tour stage

Stage four: Astana on top but Armstrong misses yellow by hundredths of a second

Live Tour de France stage four TTT coverage

Stage three: Cavendish wins second stage as Armstrong distances Contador

Stage two: Cavendish takes first sprint

Stage one: Cancellara wins opening time trial

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TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 PHOTOS

Stage six photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage five photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage four TTT photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage three photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage two photo gallery by Graham Watson

Stage one photo gallery by Andy Jones

Stage one photo gallery by Graham Watson

Team presentation by Andy Jones

Team presentation by Graham Watson

TOUR GUIDE

Tour de France 2009 - the hub

Tour de France 2009: Who's riding

Tour de France 2009: Team guide

About the Tour de France

FEATURES

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Big names missing from 2009 Tour de France

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Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish

Cycling Weekly's rider profiles

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