by Ryland James

COLMAR, France, July 17, 2009 (AFP) – American Tyler Farrar is targeting the Tour de France 14th stage as he bids to beat British sprint king Mark Cavendish in a ‘fair and square’ speed battle.

Cavendish has been the undisputed speed king with four wins so far but Farrar is one of the few riders to have beaten him this year when he won the third stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico in March.

With the Tour de France moving into the Alps on Sunday, Saturday’s rolling route from Colmar to Besancon could, if the sprinters’ teams decide to chase down anticipated breakaways, end in a bunch finish.

And that could be the last chance for the likes of Cavendish, and Farrar to strut their stuff before the final stage into the Champs Elysees on July 26.

“We have been right there for the last few stages,” said the 25-year-old from Washington State, who was just pipped to the post on Wednesday’s stage into Saint Fargeau.

“It was pretty close in Saint Fargeau, hopefully next time we will go one better.

“I will just continue what I have been doing now.

“I am right there, so if everything goes right, I think I can beat him and I know he’s not unbeatable, otherwise I wouldn’t bother racing him.

“It helps to know I have beaten him already.”

Before this year’s Tour Farrar had never met his New Zealander lead-out man Julian Dean.

But with the pair improving their understanding on a daily basis, the American says a win over Columbia team rider Cavendish is around the corner.

“There have been days on the Giro (d’Italia) when we have been close, Julian and I are working better and I think another win is coming soon,” said Farrar.

“I can beat him whether he has an off day or not, I don’t want to win by default, I want to beat him because I am the fastest guy.”

But the American admits only perfect riding will see him pip Cavendish.

“There was no special trick when I beat him before,” said Farrar.

“Everything was just perfect, my positioning was good, I was where I needed to be. The last 5kms were really fast.

“I like it when the finish is slightly uphill, where everyone is hurting a little bit – that is perfect for me.

“But Columbia have the best lead out train in the world, they get it right every time.”

And Farrar has been given some words of encouragement and advice from seven-times Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong.

“He’s awesome, he’s doing great, he’s trying hard, his team is organized and he’s a good kid,” said Armstrong.

“He was closer in Saint Fargeau than in previous races, but he needs to somehow disrupt that Columbia train.

“They are riding completely uninterrupted with 500m to go, if you put together four or five guys to get in front of them and just complicate things a little, that might be where it would pay off.

“As long as he has got Julian (Dean) to do his final wheel, he’ll be OK.

“He’s getting closer and he’s not going away.”