Ninth place for Cavendish

Mark Cavendish claimed a top ten place in today's third stage of the Tour de France, which covered the 146 miles from Waregem in Belgium to Compiegne in France.

The 22 year old Manxman and his T-Mobile team mates were well positioned at the front of the peloton, the main bunch of riders, with about six kilometres to go.

A breakaway group was caught in a dramatic finish, with Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara, the overall Tour leader, winning the stage and Cavendish (pictured) finishing in ninth place.

It was a creditable effort from the Manx rider, who crashed out of contention in each of the first two stages.