Stage 7 winner Mark Cavendish said that he owed his victory a 'phenomenal' lead-out from his HTC-Highroad team-mates which guided him to his 17th stage win.

The Manxman was emotional after winning at Chateauroux, the scene of his first ever Tour de France stage win back in 2008, and paid tribute to his lead-out train.

"They were absolutely incredible," Cavendish said of his HTC-Highroad team. "I'm so proud of those guys, they rode phenomnally."

Cavendish also had stern words for Mario Cipollini, who had criticised him for a lack of respect earler in the week, and was also saddened after learning of the withdrawal of fellow Brit Bradley Wiggins.

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