Cavendish claims fourth 2008 Tour stage

NIMES, France, July 18 (UPI) -- Mark Cavendish used a perfectly timed burst of speed to win Friday's 13th Stage of the 2008 Tour de France, giving him four stage victories this year.

Cavendish, who also won the fifth and eighth stages, made it victories on consecutive days. On Thursday, he held off the mass of riders in winning the 12th stage and Friday he charged out of the pack to cross the line first at Nimes.

He appeared to be boxed in by the peloton with about 200 yards to go but took advantage of a small opening and charged through. Robbie McEwen tired to match the final kick and Cavendish pushed for a win by several bike lengths.

Cavendish finished the 109.2-mile run from Narbonne to Nimes in 4 hours, 25 minutes, 42 seconds. McEwen finished second and Roman Feillu was third. A total of 71 riders were credited with the same time.

Overall leader Cadel Evans was 37th and maintained his 1-second edge over Frank Schleck.

Saturday's Stage 14 takes the riders into the Alps with a 116.7-mile route from Nimes to Digne-les-Bains