RACE DAY

Friday's stage: A 135-mile ride from Le Mans to Chateauroux that ended in a mass sprint.

Winner: Ace sprinter Mark Cavendish of Britain captured his 17th career stage win on the Tour and second of this Tour.

Yellow jersey: Thor Hushovd of Norway. Hushovd kept the overall lead, 1 second ahead of Australian Cadel Evans. Where's the champ? Three-time winner Alberto Contador is 24th overall, 1 minute, 42 seconds behind Hushovd.