CHATEAUROUX (France), July 10: His dream was within reach and Mark Cavendish didn’t let it get away. The British sprinter had been frustrated on Monday when his chance to win a stage of the Tour de France was thwarted by a breakaway. On Wednesday, he got revenge by recording his first victory in cycling’s premier race.

The Team Columbia rider took the fifth stage in a sprint after a three-rider breakaway that led almost the entire way in the Tour’s longest leg was caught within sight of the finish line.

Stefan Schumacher of Germany retained the leader’s yellow jersey on a day that allowed the sprinters to show their mettle but had no impact on the standings. Contenders for the overall victory all finished safely in the pack.

Cavendish completed the flat, 232-kilometer ride from Cholet to Chateauroux in 5 hours, 27 minutes, 52 seconds, edging veterans Oscar Freire of Spain and Erik Zabel of Germany.—AP