Mark Cavensish of Team Columbia sprinted to a win today in stage 12, adding to his stage win total of 3. Cavendish is the first ever Briton to do so and makes tour history for his accomplishment. Cadel Evans retails the yellow jersey, and the GC leader board remains the same. The stage started out with scandal though when Saunier Duval was informed just an hour before the stat that Riccardo Ricco was ousted following a positive doping control. His teammates and team then voluntarily abandoned the race as well.

Stage 12 Results
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia - 3.40.52
2 Sébastien Chavanel (Fra) Française des Jeux
3 Gert Steegmans (Bel) Quick Step
4 Erik Zabel (Ger) Team Milram
5 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
6 Francesco Chicchi (Ita) Liquigas
7 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Crédit Agricole
8 Leonardo Duque (Col) Cofidis - Le Crédit par Téléphone
9 Julian Dean (NZl) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30
10 Heinrich Haussler (Ger) Gerolsteiner

General classification after stage 12
1 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence - Lotto - 50.23.05
2 Frank Schleck (Lux) Team CSC - Saxo Bank - 0.01
3 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Team Garmin-Chipotle p/b H30 - 0.38
4 Bernhard Kohl (Aut) Gerolsteiner - 0.46
5 Denis Menchov (Rus) Rabobank - 0.57
6 Carlos Sastre Candil (Spa) Team CSC - Saxo Bank - 1.28
7 Kim Kirchen (Lux) Team Columbia - 1.56
8 Vladimir Efimkin (Rus) AG2R La Mondiale - 2.32
9 Mikel Astarloza Chaurreau (Spa) Euskaltel - Euskadi - 3.51
10 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas - 4.18

Full results here..

Jersey Standings:
Cadel Evans
Oscar Freire
Sebastian Lang
Vinvenzo Nibali

Tour de France / Pro Cycling Forum - Click Here

Links to news sites…

“Cycling: Cavendish makes Tour history, Evans in yellow

NARBONNE, France (AFP) — Isle of Man sprinter Mark Cavendish made cycling history on Thursday when he became the first ever Briton to claim three stage wins in a single edition of the Tour de France.

Cavendish dominated a bunch sprint at the end of the race’s 167.5km 12th stage, finishing ahead of Frenchman Sebastien Chavanel and Belgian Gert Steegmans.” Read more from AFP…

“Cavendish sprints to third Tour stage win
Isle of Man sprinter Mark Cavendish made cycling history on Thursday when he became the first-ever Briton to claim three stage wins in a single Tour de France.

Cavendish dominated a bunch sprint at the end of the 167.5km 12th stage to Narbonne, finishing ahead of Frenchman Sebastien Chavanel and Belgian Gert Steegmans.

“This was the hardest of all three sprints. It was really fast all day,” said Cavendish, who overtakes Barry Hoban, twice a two-time stage winner in a single edition of the race.” Read more from CNN International…

“Cavendish wins Tour stage; 3rd racer tests positive

NARBONNE, France (AP) — Mark Cavendish of Britain has won the 12th stage of the Tour de France. His victory came hours after the race was thrown into chaos with a third doping bust.” Read more from The Associated Press…

“Cavendish collects 3rd stage win; Evans keeps yellow
By VeloNews.com

Mark Cavendish (Team Columbia) won the 12th stage of the 95th edition of the Tour de France — his third stage of this year’s race — as Cadel Evans (Silence-Lotto) retained the leader’s yellow jersey.

“I’m a bit tired now but I was still fastest across the line,” said a weary Cavendish with a chuckle. “I’m glad I could do that for my teammates. It’s just so nice to get another one.” Read more from VeloNews.com…

“Manx Missile grabs number three
Evans retains maillot jaune on tough day for the Tour
By Shane Stokes and Bjorn Haake

Bursting out of the peloton and opening up a clear lead, Mark Cavendish rocketed to his third stage victory of the Tour de France today. The 23 year old positioned himself perfectly in the chaotic run-up to the sprint, then made his move at precisely the right time to beat Sébastien Chavanel (Française des Jeux), Gert Steegmans (Quick Step), Erik Zabel (Team Milram) and Oscar Freire (Rabobank) to the line in Narbonne.” Read more from CyclingNews.com…