Cavendish Wins Tour Stage Amid Controversy
Thursday’s Stage 11 of the 2010 Tour de France was laid out for a sprint finish, so it was fitting that British sprint specialist Mark Cavendish claimed his third stage win on the day.
The Briton’s victory was surrounded by controversy, though, as his team mate Mark Renshaw was thought to have obstructed to deliver Cavendish for the finish.
The stage spanned 184.5km between Sisteron and Bourg-les-Valence. After a slight climb in the first third of the stage, riders faced a long descent to the finish line. That the stage would be contested by sprint specialists seemed obvious even before it began.
After Cavendish, Italian sprinter Alessandro Petacchi claimed 2nd place, earning him 1st place in the points classification category. Petacchi will wear the green jersey so revered among sprinters starting on Friday’s Stage 12.
After Petacchi came US rider Tyler Farrar in 3rd place. Team Slipstream-Chipotle rider Farrar, predicted by many to challenge for the green jersey, is now 9th in the overall points classification standings on 79 points. Farrar has yet to claim a stage in this year’s Tour.
Cavendish, who claimed his 3rd stage victory this year, has now achieved half the victories he managed in the 2009 leg of the Tour.
With a little under 400m to go until the finish line, Cavendish broke free from his supporting team mates to do what he does best and claim the stage win.
Obstructions During Final Kilometer
Cavendish is now 4th in the overall points classification standings, claiming 35 points during Thursday’s win.
However, his victory may have come at a high price, with his supporting rider Renshaw disqualified from the remainder of the Tour after obstructing Team Garmin-Transitions Julien Dean before the finish.
Dean, who was a clear challenger for the stage win during the final kilometre, was apparently too great of a threat for Renshaw to tolerate.
By head-butting Dean out of the way twice, Renshaw obstructed his finishing line and earned his team mate precious points in the race for the green jersey.
After the stage, the Tour’s technical director Jean-Francois Pescheux was infuriated with Renshaw’s dirty tactics, and confirmed that the Australian would be disqualified after only one viewing of the obstructions.
"It was hard to get organised, but we were all right," said Cavendish, who had to complete a longer sprint than he is used to to claim the victory.
"I saw Julian fighting with Mark, I was behind and I was boxed in,” he added.
“I usually go around 200m - 250m max - but I had to go 375m-400m so it was a long finish by my standards."
Though in a good position to challenge Norwegian Thor Hushovd and Petacchi for the green jersey after Thursday’s win, Cavendish will miss Renshaw’s strong support in the lead-up to his sprints during the forthcoming stages.
All-Rounders Retain Overall Standings
Team Quick Step’s Jerome Pineau retains his overall lead for the polka dot jersey, awarded to the best climbing cyclist of the Tour.
Andy Schleck, who has worn the yellow leader’s jersey since Stage 11, finished 65th overall in the stage but retains his overall lead in the race.
Team Astana’s Alberto Contador, reckoned to be Schleck’s main overall challenger, remains in 2nd place overall after finishing 40th in the stage. Contador trails Schleck by 41 seconds in the overall standings.
Friday’s Stage 13, which includes a total of five climbs, may favour overall contenders Schleck and Contador, who are known to excel during climbing stages.
An arguably decisive phase of the Tour begins on Sunday, when the riders enter the feared climbs of the Pyrenees.
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