Mark Cavendish hit by insults and much worse in Tour de France time-trial

ENGLISH cyclist Mark Cavendish was hit by urine and insults hurled from the crowd, and then had an apology thrown back in his face at the Tour de France.

Mark Cavendish

ENGLISH cyclist Mark Cavendish was hit by urine and insults hurled from the crowd, and then had an apology thrown back in his face to cap a torrid 48 hours at the Tour de France.

Soaked with urine during the individual time-trial, it is doubtful that the Manxman would have been able to laugh at Chris Froome'sjoke about that despicable incident. "It leaves a bad taste in the mouth," Froome said in Mont Saint-Michel after the 11th stage of the Tour.

Just as well that he did not mention yellow jerseys. Cavendish declined to comment on the foul attack, which came a day after he was involved in a controversial collision with Tom Veelers at the conclusion of the tenth stage in Saint Malo.

The Manxman rang Veelers yesterday to wish the Dutchman well and explain his view of the crash, only for Veelers to demand that Cavendish apologise face to face. The call did not end well. Unless there is a handshake on the start line tonight (AEST), ill feeling is set to continue on the road to Tours, where there should be a sprint finish.

Cavendish will be desperate for a second stage victory after a troubled Tour reached its nadir with that soaking yesterday (Wednesday). "Mark was not angry, more sad and disappointed," said Patrick Lefevere, manager of Omega Pharma-Quick-Step. "He did not expect this kind of reaction from the cycling public. We don't have hooligans."

The Times