Cavendish wins another stage in France

LA GRANDE-MOTTE, France, July 6 (UPI) -- Mark Cavendish won his second consecutive Tour de France stage Monday, holding off a late rush.

Cavendish took the 118-mile run from Marseille to La Grande-Motte in 5 hours, 1 minute and 24 seconds. Seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong was among 24 other riders finishing in the same time.

Thor Hushvold finished second and Cyril Lemoine was third in the stage.

The final 16 miles was a battle among 28 riders but none was able to work his way around Cavendish, who won his sixth overall Tour de France stage.

Fabian Cancellara retained the overall lead and is 33 seconds ahead of Tony Martin. Armstrong, returning to the race after a three-year layoff, moved up to third place, 40 seconds behind Cancellara.

Tuesday's fourth stage will be a time trial covering 23.5 miles around Montpellier.

The Tour de France continues through July 26.