Cavendish sprint wins Tour de France stage

CHATEAUROUX, France, July 9 (UPI) -- Mark Cavendish used a furious sprint in the final 50 yards of Wednesday's 139-mile race and won the fifth stage of the Tour de France.

It was the first Tour de France stage victory for the British racer, who at 23 has already established himself as one of cycling's top sprinters.

Nicolas Vogondy owned the lead as the race headed into its final mile but Cavendish and some fellow sprinters timed their final push to catch him in the final 50 yards at the finish line in Chateauroux.

"It was really close in the end," Cavendish said "There was a time when I thought we were going to catch the escape (breakaway riders) way too early."

With Cavendish and dozens of other riders all timed at 5 hours, 27 minutes, 52 seconds, there was no change in the overall Tour de France standings. Stefan Schumacher has a 12-second edge over Kim Kirchen and David Millar, with Cadel Evans fourth 21 seconds off the pace.

Thursday's sixth stage is a 117-mile run from Aigurande to Super-Besse. The route finishes about 1,100 feet higher in elevation than it starts.