Well that took time to warm up but it ended up being white-hot at the finish. 

You just cannot keep Mark Cavendish down. We're off to the Pyrenees tomorrow, where I'm sure he will be taking a back seat. 

Look forward to seeing you then. Thanks for your company today, and whatever you're doing make sure you ride safe! 

That thrilling win for Mark Cavendish means he overtakes Peter Sagan, with the Manxman now wearing the green jersey. 

Elsewhere, it's as you where. The general classification hasn't changed much and that means BMC's Belgian rider Greg van Avermaet remains in the yellow jersey. 

Mark Cavendish is out on the podium for a third time this Tour. Asked about overtaking Bernard Hinault's record of 28 stage wins, he says: "I wasn't thinking about that, I'm thinking of my little brother he had little baby girl yesterday so I want to dedicate it to her." 

Mark Cavendish on ITV4: "Oh my god, that was terrifying that was like the old days, just wheel surfing. There are almost two finish lines, and I was a little bit too far back so it was carnage in the final straight, there were guys coming everyone. 

"I was fighting to be on Marcel Kittel's heel, I wasn't sure they were that organised, but it was downhill and I put in on a big gear and max-ed out. I went for the line and I had to come again, but I did what Marcel has done to me in the last four years and held on."

Watching the replays again, it was right bunch sprint and there were four riders who were within a metre of Mark Cavendish. He was almost pipped and he's just told reporters that he almost went too early. 

So a third stage win on this year's Tour for Mark Cavendish and a 29th overall, takes him to outright second in the most stage wins in Tour history. 

The Manxman is now one clear of Frenchman Bernard Hinault and five behind five-time Tour winner Eddy Merckx of Belgium. 

What an amazing feat and the Olympics are still to come! 

Mark Cavendish is understandably delighted as he beat Marcel Kittel to the punch. In all the excitement, Britain's Dan McClay (Pro Continental) made it into third too.

A very good day for British cycling, with two riders on the podium. 

He's done it, what a superb finish. 

Mark Cavendish is led out and he's head to head with Marcel Kittel! 

Here we go. Ettix Quick-Step looking strong. Can Mark Cavendish do it?

Green jersey Peter Sagan is sliding down the left now. Mark Cavenidsh is behind Marcel Kittel's wheel as they sweep towards to 1km mark.

The sprint teams are heading towards the front as the general classification teams yield. Here come Marcel Kittel. Mark Cavendish is creeping forward on the left.

Over the autoroute and then a sweeping left turn as Lotto-Soudal punch the accelerator a little more. Not sure if Marcel Kittel is close by though. 

A few Direct Energie riders have dropped off the back, but they have several men out front. Team Sky, on the left of the pack, are led by Luke Rowe with Chris Froome a little further behind him. 

Rob Hatch
BBC Radio 5 live commentator

Image source, BBC Sport

I've just taken my arm off the desk for a little bit. 

Not seen Mark Cavendish yet, but his Team Dimension Data team-mates are swooping towards the font. The green jersey of Peter Sagan is poised in the middle of the pack. 

Fans are starting to move out the way on the side of the road as the peloton becomes serious looking.