There was no hat-trick of victories at the Tour de France for Mark Cavendish today as the breakaway kept their distance from the peloton.

But importantly for his green jersey bid Cav did come home at the head of the main bunch in eighth, one place ahead of Thor Hushovd.

That gave him 18 points for the stage to Hushovd's 17, extending his lead over the Norwegian to eight points in the green jersey classification

Seven riders had pulled ahead earlier in the stage - from Tonnerre to Vittel - then Sylvain Calzati and Nicki Sorensen made a further break with the Dane eventually going alone and taking the victory, the second for his Saxo Bank team at this year's event.