NARBONNE, France, July 17, 2008 (AFP) – 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.

Australian Cadel Evans, of Silence, retained the race leader’s yellow jersey with a 01sec lead over Luxembourg champion Frank Schleck, who rides for CSC.

American Christian Vande Velde is still in third place at 38sec, while Austrian Bernhard Kohl remained fourth at 46. Russian Denis Menchov and Spaniard Carlos Sastre at 57 and 1:28 respectively in fifth and sixth.

After a day marked by scandal, then an ambitious breakaway that was caught inside the final 10km, there were few changes to the race’s general classification, save for the disappearance of Italian climber Riccardo Ricco.

The 24-year-old Italian began the day in ninth place overall but finished it in police custody after it was revealed he had tested positive for banned blood booster EPO (erythropoietin).

It meant his entire Saunier Duval team left the race under a cloud on Thursday morning minutes before the riders left the start line in Lavelanet.

Cavendish, however, brought smiles to faces after another textbook sprint was prepared by his impressive Columbia team.

The 23-year-old launched his final drive in the final 200 metres and was simply unbeatable, coasting over the finish line holding up three fingers to signal the number of wins on the race.

He now becomes Britain’s record holder for the number of stage wins in a single edition. The previous record was held by British great Barry Hoban.

Hoban has a record eight stage wins, scoring doubles in 1969 and 1973.

FULL STORY TO FOLLOW SOON.