Nicki Sorensen broke clear late on from a long-time breakaway group of seven riders to win Stage 12 of the Tour de France as Britain's sprint king Mark Cavendish spent a well-deserved day in the peloton. Green jersey holder Cavendish claimed the two previous stages but was happy to kick back today, although he did win a sprint finish in the peloton to come home eighth and extend his lead in the sprinters' classification over Thor Hushovd. By that time, Sorensen was lapping up the praise after winning his first stage in the Tour in his 10th year as a professional. The Dane, who rides for Saxo Bank, made a solo raid for home five and a half kilometres out and could not be stopped, winning the 211.5km jaunt from Tonnerre to Vittel in four hours 52 minutes and 24 seconds. Cavendish, who already has four stage victories to his name this Tour, told French TV station France 2: "We needed a break. Everyday's a long day and the (Columbia) guys are only human. They can only do so much. We need to be fresh to get through the Alps. The focus now is Paris"

Nicki Sorensen broke clear late on from a long-time breakaway group of seven riders to win Stage 12 of the Tour de France as Britain's sprint king Mark Cavendish spent a well-deserved day in the peloton.

Tour de France: Cavendish eyes Swiss Alps

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Tour de France: Cavendish eyes Swiss Alps

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