Mark Cavendish produced another trademark sprint finish to claim his fifth stage victory of the Tour de France. The Manxman held off his rival for the green jersey, Thor Hushovd, to win the 178km 19th stage from Bourgoin-Jallieu to Aubenas and close the gap on the Norwegian to 25 points.
The category two final climb looked like it would put paid to Cavendish’s hopes of victory, but his Colombia team-mates gave him the platform to attack 300 metres out.
German Gerald Ciolek finished in third, while Ireland’s Nicolas Roche notched up his fourth top ten of the race when he came home in eighth spot to move up two places to 23rd in the general classification. Astana rider Alberto Contador retained the race leader’s yellow jersey.