By Jeremy Whittle

British cycling's extraordinary run of success in the Tour de France continued yesterday when Mark Cavendish became the first Briton to win nine stages of the French race, with a daring sprint victory.  

The 24-year-old the paid tribute to his rival for the green jersey, Thor Hushovd, who holds an almost unassailable lead in the points classification after a lone breakaway in the Alpine stage to Le Grand-Bornand.