Tour stage 11 uphill finish could be tricky for Cavendish

• Wednesday, 15 July 2009
• Alasdair Fotheringham
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Mark Cavendish wins, Tour de France 2009, stage 10

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The finish in today's 11th 2009 Tour de France stage in Saint-Fargeau could present some challenges for Mark Cavendish in his bid to win a fourth stage this year.

With a much more pronounced uphill gradient in the final kilometre than yesterday's stage finish, which the Manxman won, the slight climb may make it more favourable to other sprinters like Oscar Freire (Rabobank) or Thor Hushovd (Cervélo) than the Columbia-HTC rider.

Just to add to the excitement, the uphill run-in twists and turns and it's narrow as well. Just as well that it is dry, or there would be a risk of crashes.

To put things into perspective, the final rise to the finish is nowhere as difficult as in Barcelona, where points leader Hushovd won.

But the finish is no flat wide boulevard, either, and could present a challenge to Cavendish.

Full stage report, results and photos from today's Tour stage later

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

STAGE REPORTS
Stage 10: Cavendish spoils Bastille Day party to take third stage win
Stage nine: Third French win as contenders content with ceasefire
stage eight: Sanchez wins from break as Tour favourites cancel each other out
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 10 photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage nine photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage eight photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage seven photo gallery by Graham Watson
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
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TOUR GUIDE
Tour de France 2009 - the hub
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