He's Back!

The celebration was the same as in 2008 when Mark Cavendish crossed the line at Chateuaroux ahead of a bunched sprint to take his first ever stage win in the Tour, yesterday was his second of this years event and number 17 in all. The HTC 'train' had simply blown the opposition away and led their man to the front with around 200 metres to go, Cav in typical style pulled off the wheel of lead out Mark Renshaw and the win was for the taking.

The celebrations were somewhat muted once news of Bradley Wiggins retirement from the race due to a suspected broken collarbone came through. Wiggins was involved in an accident that caused half of the field to lose more than three minutes on the stage, his team members waited until it was confirmed that he couldn't continue by which time Geraint Thomas had lost his place in the top ten riders.

It wasn't just a blow to Wiggins and the Sky team, although obviously their loss of their  main man will be keenly felt, but it's the loss to the race of a genuine contender for a podium place come the Champs in a fortnight's time. Wiggins has looked back to his best this year and watching him in the events leading up to this race and also his progress in the first six stages this year you had to believe that he really had a chance.