Cavendish claims second stage win at Tour de France

Mark Cavendish of Great Britain and Team Colombia leaves his fellow sprinters behind celebrating his victory after winning stage eight of the 2008 Tour de France on July 12, 2008 in Toulouse, France. (Photo credit: Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, July 13) -- Mark Cavendish from Team Columbia won the eighth stage of the Tour de France, a 174km competitive bicycle race from Figeac to Toulouse, on Saturday, July 12, after claiming Stage 5 three days ago, becoming the first Brit to win 2 stages of the Tour in the same year since 1973.

This is the second time the young athlete has competed in the Tour de France. In his first attempt in 2007, he had to quit after Stage 8 before the riders headed into the high Alps.

Cavendish, born on the Isle of Man on May 21, 1985, is both a brilliant road racer and a top track sprinter. A two-time world Madison champion (2005 and 2008), he will pair up with Bradley Wiggins to compete in the Beijing Games.