Cav moves to fourth on all-time stage winners list

Cavendish's (Sky) third win from this year's 99th edition was the Briton's fourth consecutively on the world famous Champs Elysees and lifted him to fourth on the list of all-time stage winners.

Belgium's Eddy Merckx, considered the world's greatest ever cyclist, leads the way with 34 wins with Bernard Hinault, a five-time winner and France's last champion in 1985 second on 28.

Although Hinault's record may be out of reach for Sky Sprinter Cavendish in next year's centenary edition but he could realistically take aim at the 25-win tally of France's Andre Leducq, who raced between 1927 and 1938.

All three riders, Merckx, Hinault and Leducq, were winners of the Tour de France, an achievement that is out of reach for Cavendish. His physique means he excels on the flatter stages but not on the climbs.

Earlier in the race Cavendish equalled Andre Darrigade's 22 stage wins, considered an unofficial record because the Frenchman was a sprinter and breakaway rider who did not contend overall victory.

The 'Manx Missile', as Cavendish is known, finally broke the barrier eight days before he aims to add Olympic road race gold to his 2011 world title.

Stage victories on the Tour de France

34: Eddy Merckx (BEL) from 1969 to 1975

28: Bernard Hinault (FRA) from 1978 to 1986

25: Andre Leducq (FRA) from 1927 to 1938

23: Mark Cavendish (GBR) from 2008 to 2012

22: Andre Darrigade (FRA) from 1953 to 1964

22: Lance Armstrong (USA) from 1993 to 2005

20: Nicolas Frantz (LUX) from 1924 to 1929

19: Francois Faber (LUX) from 1908 to 1914