Belgian Jasper Philipsen has denied Mark Cavendish a record-breaking victory on the Tour de France to claim his third stage win in this year's race.
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After a 170km trek from Mont de Marsan on Friday, Philipsen was the fastest again in the final sprint, although Briton Cavendish almost caught the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider by surprise by launching his effort early.
The Briton, chasing a record-breaking 35th Tour de France individual win, was eventually overpowered by Philipsen and had to settle for what might remain the most frustrating runners-up spot in his career.
The 38-year-old Cavendish, back on the world's greatest race after a one-year hiatus, shares the record of stage wins with Belgian great Eddy Merckx, who took his 34 victories between 1969 and 1975.
Eritrea's Biniam Girmay finished third.But there was no change to the overall standings as defending champion Jonas Vingegaard, of Denmark, retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, with Tadej Pogacar second 25 sec behind and Australia's Jai Hindley still third at one minute 34 seconds down
Saturday's eighth stage is a 200.7km hilly ride from Libourne to Limoges.
Australian Associated Press
