Mark Cavendish of Britain won the 18th stage of the Tour de France in a final dash on Friday as Alberto Contador kept holding the yellow jersey.
The 25-year-old Cavendish collected his fourth Tour stage win this year and 14th of his career in the flat 198-kilometer (123- mile) ride from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux that was likely to favor sprinters.
Cavendish won by several bike lengths. Julian Dean of New Zealand was second, and Italy's Alessandro Petacchi was third.
HTC-Columbia's Mark Cavendish (C) of Britain crosses the finish line to win the 18th stage of the Tour de France cycling race from Salies-de-Bearn to Bordeaux, July 23, 2010.
With his third place, Petacchi swiped the green jersey awarded to the best sprinter from Hushovd, who finished 14th in the stage and gave up any hope of recovering it by the final stage Sunday on Paris' Champs-Elysees.
Cavendish's HTC Columbia team moved to the front of the pack in the last 20 kilometers, pressing the pace to reel in four breakaway riders who got out at the 11 kilometer mark and led nearly the whole day.
With just three kilometers to go, the fast-moving peloton swallowed up the last of those escapees, setting up the final bunch sprint.
Defending champion Contador of Spain held his eight-second lead over Andy Schleck of Luxembourg, a gap that is expected to widen in the crucial 52-kilometer (32.3-mile) time-trial from Bordeaux to Pauillac.
体坛英语资讯:Bayer Leverkusen recaptures Bundesliga top position
体坛英语资讯:Rivals should pay to play against star Blanco, says club president
体坛英语资讯:U.S. hockey forward Clarke joins Czechs Slavia Praha
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid crashes to defeat in Bilbao
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Ding suffers exit from Wembley Masters Snooker
体坛英语资讯:China secures mens singles title at table tennis seasonal final
体坛英语资讯:Man. Uniteds debt amounts to 1.17 billion dollars
体坛英语资讯:Greipel outpaces rivals for 2nd straight victory
体坛英语资讯:Davydenko beats Nadal to win Qatar Open title
体坛英语资讯:Sharapova vs Kirilenko clash set to kick off Australian Open
体坛英语资讯:Atletico complicates cup progress as Racing takes narrow lead to Pamplona
体坛英语资讯:Sharapova knocked out, Safina struggles to win at Australian Open
体坛英语资讯:Real midfielder Van der Vaart sidelined for three weeks
体坛英语资讯:Sex-tested South African athlete cannot run: official
体坛英语资讯:Woods loses AT&T sponsorship
体坛英语资讯:Ronaldo out of quake charity game
体坛英语资讯:Yao Mings expected baby stirs fresh Yao fever in China
体坛英语资讯:Dutch Mulder to skate at Vancouver Olympics
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid cruise past Mallorca 2-0 in the snow
体坛英语资讯:Spain, Russia kick off Euro Futsal campaigns with easy wins
体坛英语资讯:Real Madrid wastes chance to go top in Spanish soccer league
体坛英语资讯:Valencia cruise to derby win to stay third in Spain
体坛英语资讯:Roddick tweets apology after abusing official
体坛英语资讯:Federer survives scare to reach Australian Open second round
体坛英语资讯:China ties Syria 0-0 at Asian Cup qualifier
体坛英语资讯:Shooting on Togo team wont affect WC: organizers
体坛英语资讯:Roger Federer leads stars in Haiti fundraising match
体坛英语资讯:Trio shares lead at Abu Dhabi event
体坛英语资讯:Federer, Nadal advance into Qatar Open semis
体坛英语资讯:Chinas Ma, Guo retain titles at table tennis Pro Tour Finals