Garmin's Farrar hopes for turn of fortunes

American Tyler Farrar is ready for another head-to-head battle with Mark Cavendish today at the Tour de France. He aims to put his early race "frustrations" behind and finally secure his first stage win.

"It is frustrating," he said. "I came here with the intentions to win a stage and due to some bad luck I have only have been able to take one real crack at it."

As with Cavendish, Farrar has had his own bad luck in the Tour de France this year. They both missed a chance to win with Brussels due to being in crashes and the following day to Spa, Farrar crashed and fractured a bone near his wrist.

Farrar nearly had to give up, but told his Garmin-Transitions team that he wanted to push on to and try to win his first stage. He's won stages in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España, but, unlike Cavendish, he has yet to win a stage in cycling's biggest race.

"It was totally his decision," said Garmin's team manager, Jonathan Vaughters. "Me pushing him into riding with a fracture would be stupid."

The decision to continue nearly paid off with a win five days ago in Gueugnon. Farrar finished second behind Cavendish after his Garmin team led into the windy final.

Today's stage to Bourg-lès-Valence is the only chance in the Tour's second week. Then there are two stages in the final week, Bordeaux and Paris.

"I am optimistic. I think my wrist has made it through the Alps okay. It is manageable and we keep taping it differently," continued Farrar.

"I am capable of winning. It will take the right tactics and luck."

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Stage nine: Casar wins stage as Schleck and Contador go head-to-head

Stage seven: Chavanel wins stage and takes overall as Thomas drops out of Tour's white

Stage six: Cavendish makes it two as Tour hots up

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Tour de France 2010: Photos

Stage 10 photo gallery

Stage nine photo gallery

Stage eight photo gallery

Tour 2010 wallpaper

Stage seven photo gallery

Stage six photo gallery

Stage five photo gallery

Stage four photo gallery

Stage three photo gallery

Stage two photo gallery

Stage one gallery

Prologue photo gallery

Tour de France 2010: Videos

Stage 10 video highlights

Stage nine video highlights

Stage eight video highlights

Stage seven video highlights

Stage six video highlights

Stage five video highlights

Stage four video highlights

Stage three video highlights

Stage two video highlights

Stage one video highlights

Prologue video highlights

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Official start list, with race numbers

Brits at the Tour 2010

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Tour team presentation, Rotterdam

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