Stage 11 Review

By Phil Liggett
July 15, 2009

It was only a matter of time before the sprinter Mark Cavendish equaled the record for the most stage wins by a British rider. He did it in the small town of Saint Fargeau in mid-France at the end of 192km on stage 11 from Vatan.

This was not a stage for the contenders for final victory to risk anything, so it was always going to be a day for the sprinters to again cross swords.

Cavendish, from the Isle of Man, a small island in the North Sea between Ireland and Great Britain, equaled Yorkshireman's Barry Hoban's record of eight stage wins when he beat American Tyler Farrar in an uphill finish.

It was probably his best win of the eight he as scored in just two Tours and, with two stages suiting the sprinters left, few will doubt he can't make it 10!

Overall there was no change in the standings as the field all finished together, although stage 12, might be more challenging as the route turns East.

On this stage, run off much faster than the previous day, two riders spent most of it ahead. Belgian Johan Van Summeren (Silence-Lotto) led with Pole Marcin Sapa, but and as so often happens, the sprinters' teams never let them too far ahead and usually catch then as the finish approaches.

This happened at five kilometres from home and the rest was a formality for the fast men who love to live dangerously in the final 1000 yards.