Cavendish takes record with ninth stage win; CYCLING MARK.

MARK Cavendish claimed a British record ninth Tour de France stage victory as he kept the race for the green jersey alive with another trademark sprint finish.

The Manxman won his fifth stage of this year's Tour to break Barry Hoban's mark set in 1975.

Cavendish held off his rival for green, Thor Hushovd, to win the 178km 19th stage from BourgoinJallieu to Aubenas and close the gap on the Norwegian to 25 points.

The category two final climb looked like it would put paid to Cavendish's hopes of victory, but his Columbia team-mates gave him the platform to attack 300 metres out.

German Gerald Ciolek (Milram) finished in third, while Astana rider Alberto Contador retained the race leader's yellow jersey, four minutes 11 seconds ahead of Luxembourg's Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), with seven-time winner Lance Armstrong (Astana) third.

Britain's Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) remains fourth in the general classification.

A sprint finish - and Cavendish's chances of a fifth victory - had looked unlikely given the gruelling climb up and dangerous descent down the 787m Col de l'Escrinet at the end of the stage.

And the Briton paid tribute to the effort of his team-mates, in particular German youngster Tony Martin, who gave him the opportunity to launch his sprint for victory.