Cavendish registers win in 10th stage

The Briton, who now has seven Tour wins to his name — including three in this year's race — struggled in the first mountain stages but showed few ill effects as he crossed first on the 194.5-km ride from Limoges.

“It's a good win, the finish was difficult, with an uphill part and a lot of corners,” Cavendish told reporters. “I told myself that I had maybe started (my sprint) too soon but I was perfectly set up by (Columbia team-mate) Mark (Renshaw).  To me, he is the man of the day.”

Cavendish, who pulled out of last year's Tour before the 15th stage in the Alps, said he was now in a position to go all the way to Paris.

“Try and win on the Champs Elysees, it's now my main goal,” he said. “However, I am happy I did not go through the Pyrenees for nothing.”

Cavendish still has to tackle three gruelling stages in the Alps and the ascent to the intimidating Mont Ventoux before reaching Paris.

He trails Thor Hushovd, second on Tuesday, by six points in the green jersey standings after the Norwegian snatched precious points in the Pyrenees.