Cav favored to take stage #6 in Paris

Columbia’s Mark Cavendish says he never focuses on his rivals, but on Sunday’s final stage of the Tour de France the Columbia rider would do well to keep a close eye on Thor Hushovd.

Despite going one better than he did in 2008 by winning five stages at the race so far this year Cavendish has unfinished business – challenging for the points competition’s green jersey.

Going into Sunday’s 164km ride from Montereau-Fault-Yonne to the Champs Elysees in Paris Hushovd has a significant lead of 25 points on Cavendish.

And while there will be six, four and two points given to the first three riders over the two sprints on the Champs Elysees at the 120 and 133km marks, Cavendish will be hoping the 35 points awarded for the stage winner will loosen Hushovd’s grip.

In any event Hushovd will have to make sure he isn’t too far behind the Isle of Man rider.

While Cavendish has been the undisputed sprint king of this year’s race, Hushovd has arguably been the most determined.

Unlike Cavendish, who finds the Tour’s climbs a “grim” affair, Norway’s 2005 green jersey champion doesn’t mind launching audacious raids in the mountains.

After one such ride last Wednesday in the Alps, which gave him an extra 12 points for his account, Cavendish could only look on in admiration.

“After Thor’s ride two days ago no one deserves the green jersey more than him,” Cavendish said Friday after beating Englishman Barry Hoban’s previous record of eight stage wins on the race.

“I can’t compete with that, that was humiliating to me the other day. It was a beautiful ride.”

FILED UNDER: News / Road / Tour de France TAGS: Tour de France