Tour de France Stage Five Result and betting

MONTARGIS, FRANCE - Mark Cavendish returned with a bang on Thursday afternoon to take Stage Five of the Tour de France in a sprint finish. Many had speculated as to whether Cavendish would actually complete this year`s Tour after a series of disappointing results and crashes, but the Manx Missile answered his critics in emphatic style with a superb burst of speed in Montargis. German rider Gerald Ciolek came second, ahead of Edvald Boasson Hagen in third.

Cavendish was the second favourite with the bookmakers to land the Stage Five spoils, and he was best-priced at 23/10 with Blue Square this morning.

9/4 stage favourite Alessandro Petacchi failed to register his third stage win of the Tour, but he finished eighth to keep himself in the running in the points classification. His rival Thor Hushovd finished in fifth place and retains the green jersey for the time being.

The overall standings are not affected by today`s stage, and Alberto Contador remains 8/15 with Sky Bet to win his third Tour de France.

STAGE FIVE RESULT:

1. Mark Cavendish 23/10

2. Gerald Ciolek 33/1

3. Edvald Boasson Hagen 16/1

4. Jose Joaquin Rojas 50/1

5. Thor Hushovd 9/1

6. Sébastien Turgot 55/1

7. Robbie McEwen 13/1

8. Alessandro Petacchi 9/4

9. Lloyd Mondory 100/1

10. Tyler Farrar 20/1

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