Cavendish takes top sprinter crown

Mark Cavendish has reaffirmed his claim to being the world's top sprinter after winning the points classification at the Tour of California, the USA's biggest cycling event.

The 23-year-old Manx star recorded two stage victories during the eight stage event and did enough elsewhere to take the green jersey, finishing 14 points clear of Vincenzo Nibali.

Cavendish was 64th overall and eighth in the young rider classification after coming 50th on yesterday’s final stage.

The overall winner was American rider Levi Leipheimer, who took the title for the third year running.

(Picture: Mark Cavendish pips Tom Boonen to win stage 4 of the Tour of California)