Cavendish Wins Fifth Tour Stage

(July 25, 2010)

Report filed by Team Columbia

HTC-Columbia's Mark Cavendish became the first ever rider in history to win for two years running on the Champs-Elysées as he racked up his fifth stage victory in the 2010 Tour de France.   Already the winner of stages five, six, 11 and 18 this year,  Cavendish's victory in the Tour's final stage is the fifteenth of his career in cycling's top event, and his 59th road win since turning pro in 2007.

"My Tour didn't start too well and in the first week I was wondering how it would turn out," Cavendish said. "But the team rode incredibly strongly for me and I tried to make amends. As the race progressed my feelings got better and better and winning here in Paris on the most spectacular finish of them all is a great way to end the race.  When you win you get confident, when you're confident you win.  It's as simple as that."

"[HTC-Columbia teammate] Bernie Eisel took me to the tunnel and then Tony Martin dropped me off where I needed to be to go for the win.  It's been a real rollercoaster event, but the people here in France always make it special and I want to thank all of them, the team and support staff and all the other people who have helped me all the way."

Cavendish dedicated Sunday's win to Tyler Blick, son of Steve Blick of Oakley.

The win in Paris concluded team HTC-Columbia's successful 2010 Tour de France which included Tony Martin wearing the Young Rider's jersey in three stages, taking second place in the Prologue and the Individual Time Trial, and Bert Grabsch finishing third in the ITT.  

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