It was yet another day with Saxo Bank in the front of the race on today's 198 kilometer long 18th stage of Tour de France between Salies-de-Béarn og Bordeaux was settled. The highly motivated Danish Tour-debutant, Matti Breschel insisted on leaping away in the break of the day and after several attempts he managed to escape and was followed by Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo), Jerome Pineau (Quick Step), Benoit Vaugrenard (Francaise des Jeux).

The quartet was however, kept on a very tight leash by the sprinter teams who eyed a rare chance of taking a stage win in the flat terrain in the South-western part of France. With 13 kilometers to go, Matti Breschel was caught with two of his followers while Daniel Oss (Liquigas-Doimo) initiated one last desperate move to keep the chasing pack behind.

But as expected, the Liquigas-rider was caught with four kilometers left of the stage and in the nerve-wrecking finale, British Mark Cavendish was in a league of his own as he outsprinted everyone and took his fourth stage win in this year's Tour de France.

Andy crossed the finish line in the peloton and is still second overall eight seconds behind Alberto Contador (Astana).