The cyclist who rides for the South African team, Dimension Data, won the 190.5km stage between Arpajon-sur-Cère and Montauban by piping Germany’s Marcel Kittel to the finish line.

His third stage win means that he reclaimed the green jersey for leading the point’s competition after having to concede to Slovakia’s Peter Sagan on Wednesday.

Cavendish says he is happy to reclaim the green jersey, however, added that when they hit the Pyrenees it will all be Sagan again.

“Today I sprinted like in the old days. I stayed safe in the fast long run in.

“It was slightly downhill. I needed to do the right thing.

“Only one stage victory at the Tour de France makes a career or a season, so I'm obviously happy with three this year and if I win only one more by the end of my career, I'll be happy as well.

“I'm glad to wear the green jersey today but when we hit the mountains, there's no way I'll beat Peter Sagan. Nobody can. He's just on another level.”

Belgium’s Grey van Avermaet still retains the leader’s yellow jersey and holds a 5 minute 11 second lead over France’s Julian Alaphilippe.

Friday’s short 162.5km stage rides between L'Isle-Jourdain and Lac de Payolle.

Morgan Piek/OFM News