Tour de France: Mark Cavendish storms to 22nd stage win

Mark Cavendish stormed to his 22nd Tour de France stage win as Bradley Wiggins remained on course for overall victory.
The Manxman has played a supporting role in Team Sky's bid to put Wiggins on top of the podium in Paris.
But the world champion claimed his second victory of this year's Tour on stage 18 as the peloton caught an escape group inside the final 1.5km.

Cavendish powered away in the final 500m to draw level with Lance Armstrong and Andre Darrigade in all-time wins.

"I just knew I was going to go for it," said the 27-year-old. "I have done nothing all Tour so I have saved so much energy.
"I knew I would be able to go from a long way out, and no-one would get past me today. I felt really good.
"It would have been easy for the guys to cruise into Paris and Sean [Yates, Team Sky's sporting director] was saying 'just take it easy' but I was pleading for a chance in the team meeting.
"But then Brad [Wiggins] said 'we are going to ride today' and Froomie [Chris Froome] committed to my cause and I'll always be grateful for that. We have got a great group of guys. It has been an emotional three weeks but I have enjoyed it."


There were no changes in the overall standings with Wiggins still two minutes and five seconds ahead of Team Sky team-mate Chris Froome.
Having come through the final mountain stage on Thursday with his position enhanced, Wiggins's priority for Friday's relatively flat 222.5km from Blagnac to Brive-la-Gaillarde was to stay out of trouble.
Given the Briton's ability in the time trial - he won the other in this year's Tour by 35 seconds from team-mate Froome - he can look forward to extending his advantage in Saturday's 53.5km contre la montre to Chartres.

Stage 18 top five:

1. Mark Cavendish (GB) Team Sky 4:54:12"

2. Matt Goss (Aus) (GEC) same time

3. Peter Sagan (Slk) (LIQ) same time

4. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) RAB same time

5. Nicolas Roche (Ire) ALM same time

Overall race standings after stage 18:

1. Bradley Wiggins (GB) Team Sky 83:22:18"

2. Chris Froome (GB) Team Sky +2:05"

3. Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas +2:41"

4. Jurgen Van den Broeck (Bel) Lotto Belisol +5:53"

5. Tejay Van Garderen (US) BMC Racing +8:30"

- BBC.co.uk