Mark Cavendish (Columbia) finished safely in the main gruppetto on stage 10 and kept the green jersey for another day. He finished 137th at 28-29 behind Brice Feillu (Agritubel).
His main rival for the green jersey, Thor Hushovd (Cervelo), finished in the same time but at the back of the gruppetto, in 171st place. He still leads Hushovd by one point in the green jersey competition. Cavendish has 106 points, to Hushovd's 105.
Cavendish had to change his back wheel at the foot of the climb after a rider smashed into him but he quickly got back to the main bunch and rode to the finish with the likes of Stuart O'Grady (Saxo Bank), Tom Boonen (Quick Step) and team mate Mark Renshaw.
“I wasn't in the crash, it was on the right. I stopped for a few seconds but then a rider ploughed into my back wheel and ripped out the spokes. I'm lucky I don't have to buy my own wheels,” he said.
“It was a bit of nightmare and I had to wait but Bernie gave me his wheel and so I was able to chase and get back on. I would have preferred to take it easy in the gruppetto rather than rider hard to get there but its okay. I survived.”
Cavendish confirmed that he is climbing much better this year.
“I just try and ride through the climbs. I'm suffering but not more than anyone else. It's just a case of getting through it now, rather than struggling to get through it.” he said.
TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 LINKS
Tour de France 2009 - the hub: Index to reports, photos, previews and more.
STAGE REPORTS
Stage seven: Feillu wins at Arcalis, Nocentini takes yellow, Contador leap-frogs Lance
Stage six: Millar's brave bid denied on Barcelona hill as Hushovd triumphs
Stage five: Voeckler survives chase to win his first Tour stage
Stage four: Astana on top but Armstrong misses yellow by hundredths of a second
Live Tour de France stage four TTT coverage
Stage three: Cavendish wins second stage as Armstrong distances Contador
Stage two: Cavendish takes first sprint
Stage one: Cancellara wins opening time trial
LATEST TOUR NEWS
Tour de France 2009 News Index>>
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The Feed Zone: Friday, July 10
Millar happy with Tour performance despite no stage win
Analysis: Fight for green jersey is between Cavendish and Hushovd
Wiggins looking ahead to Friday's mountain stage
Analysis: Why Contador's chances rose when Armstrong missed yellow
Delgado criticises Astana for Armstrong manoeuvre
Armstrong: Gaining time on Contador was not the objective
Stage three analysis: Why the bunch split and who gained the most
EXCLUSIVE VIDEOS
David Zabriskie's time trial bike
Mark Cavendish on the Tour's team time trial
David Brailsford interview
Mark Cavendish on the Tour
Jonathan Vaughters on Bradley Wiggins' chances
TOUR DE FRANCE 2009 PHOTOS
Stage six photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage five photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage four TTT photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage three photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage two photo gallery by Graham Watson
Stage one photo gallery by Andy Jones
Stage one photo gallery by Graham Watson
Team presentation by Andy Jones
Team presentation by Graham Watson
TOUR GUIDE
Tour de France 2009 - the hub
Tour de France 2009: Who's riding
Tour de France 2009: Team guide
About the Tour de France
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Tour de France 2009 on TV: Eurosport and ITV4 schedules
Big names missing from 2009 Tour de France
Tour de France anti-doping measures explained
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Cavendish
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