By Owen Slot

We have a detailed picture of what makes Mark Cavendish the “world's fastest man on two wheels”. It involves a photographic memory for maps, a pair of long white socks, a friend called Prince Harry and such an ability to handle pressure that he is like “a piece of art”.

Those ingredients helped to secure him another victory in Saint-Fargeau yesterday. That makes it four stage wins from 11 in this year's Tour, meaning that he has equalled both his 2008 tally and Barry Hoban's British record of eight overall. Sprint wins in successive days have enabled him to take back the green jersey from Thor Hushovd, of Norway.

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