Impressive Cavendish delivers as planned

BRIGNOLES, France (Reuters) - Mark Cavendish made it clear he is probably untouchable in mass finishes on the Tour de France this year when he stunned the rest of the field to win the second stage on Sunday.

Left in the front with three of his Columbia team mates after a crash in the final turn of the 187 kms stage from Monaco had split the bunch, the Briton was forced to an unexpectedly long sprint in the last 500 metres.

It made his victory all the more impressive as second-placed American Tyler Farrar and third-placed Romain Feillu of France never looking in a position to challenge him.

Cavendish, the winner of four stages in 2008, praised his team mates who had led and protected him in the last 20 kilometres to place him in ideal conditions for the finale.

"They're superb, really intelligent guys and efficient too. When you see the work of these eight riders riding for me, it's impressive," he told reporters.

"I'm glad I could win it. There's a lot of people involved in a sprint like this."

While Cavendish is already the most successful British professional rider, he can now set his sights on Barry Hoban's British record of eight stage victories on the Tour.

SCORCHING HEAT