Impressive Cavendish delivers as planned

Mark Cavendish made it clear he is probably untouchable in mass finishes on the Tour de France this year when he stunned the rest of the field to win the second stage yesterday.

Left in the front with three of his Columbia team-mates after a crash in the final turn of the 187km stage from Monaco had split the bunch, the Briton was forced to an unexpectedly long sprint in the last 500 metres.

It made his victory all the more impressive as second-placed American Tyler Farrar and third-placed Romain Feillu of France never looked in a position to challenge him.

Cavendish, the winner of four stages in 2008, praised his team-mates who had led and protected him in the last 20 kilometres to place him in ideal conditions for the finale.

"They're superb, really intelligent guys and efficient too. When you see the work of these eight riders riding for me, it's impressive," he told reporters.

"I'm glad I could win it. There's a lot of people involved in a sprint like this."

While Cavendish is already the most successful British professional rider, he can now set his sights on Barry Hoban's British record of eight stage victories on the Tour.

"I had two goals on this Tour, one was to go to the end of the Tour and take as many wins along the way. But I don't want to look too far ahead," the British rider said.

The heat, with temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, was merciless in the peloton.

"I cannot remember riding in such heat. It was like riding in a hot bath," said Fabian Cancellara.

American Lance Armstrong, back in the saddle after three-and-a-half years in retirement, remained 10th overall after riding in the peloton all day.

Today's third stage from Marseille to La Grande Motte could be another tricky one, with strong winds forecast on the 196.5 kms along the Mediterranean coastline.