TOUR DE FRANCE 2010: Cavendish henchman thrown out

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoZkNbxojKwendofvid
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By Ivan Speck

Heaven on stage 11: Mark Cavendish celebrates as he crosses the finish line


For once a Mark Cavendish stage win was cast into the background by the expulsion from the Tour de France of his HTC-Columbia team-mate Mark Renshaw for resorting to street-fighting tactics at 40mph on a bike.

Like an angry bull, the Australian thrust his head three times into the shoulder of Julian Dean in the final stretch of the sprint finish into Bourg-les-Valence in a scene which bewildered spectators, appalled those who follow Le Tour and enraged race organisers. Renshaw then attempted to drive Tyler Farrar into the barriers

Seeing the fracas ahead, Cavendish began a 400-yard sprint, long by his standards, and drove away from the field with astonishing ease. It was what had happened further down the road which stole attention from the Briton's third stage win of this Tour and the 13th of his career.

Renshaw had been trying to lead Cavendish into a position from which to launch for the line when New Zealander Dean used an elbow to push the Columbia rider towards the railings and thus block Cavendish's line of attack.


Yellow jersey: Andy Schleck has a 41-second lead over Alberto Contador


If such tactics border on the unfair, not to mention dangerous, they are a part of the anything-goes world of sprint racing. Anything except butting, that is. Within minutes of the finish, Renshaw had been thrown out. Race director Jean- Francois Pescheux said: 'It was blatant. This is cycling, not fighting. Everybody could have ended on their backs.'

It was the second act of physical violence on this year's Tour. The first happened in Gueugnon last week when irate Spaniard Carlos Barredo hit Portuguese rider Rui Alberto Costa over the head with a wheel, provoking an all-out punch-up. They were both fined £250.

Cavendish and the Columbia team were upset by the scale of the sanction for Renshaw because of Dean's provocation. Cavendish said: 'The commissaires have made a decision which we don't necessarily agree with.


Sprint king: Cavendish (right) leads the chase to the finish line


'Julian Dean hooked his elbow around Mark's. That puts everyone behind in danger because there is a risk handlebars can get tangled. Mark gave us all space which kept everybody upright. I have a team which looks after me. You need a lot of courage and sometimes you need to do things, even that.'

Renshaw also defended his actions. He said: 'I wouldn't consider it rough house.

Dean came across at me. I don't know what else I could do. I was definitely not going to brake. If I hadn't used my shoulders and head I would probably have crashed.'

Cavendish moved up to fourth in the race for the green jersey behind new wearer Alessandro Petacchi. Renshaw's elimination leaves Cavendish more isolated in the sprint finishes to come, although his power, evident yesterday, will overcome any perceived weakness. For Renshaw, it's a long cycle ride home.

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