Cavendish bids to keep flame alive

Three further Pyrenean tests loom this week for Manxman Mark Cavendish.

Today’s (Monday) 187.5km stage will be followed by two climbs of the Col du Tourmalet, either side of a rest day in Pau.

Cavendish, 150th overall and third in the race for the green sprinters’ jersey, will be looking to conserve his strength for the flat with Bordeaux on Friday and Paris on Sunday representing the only opportunities left to snatch the maximum 35 points for winning a finishing sprint.

Yesterday’s 14th stage was won by France's Christophe Riblon with Luxembourg's Andy Schleck retaining the overall lead.