Tour hero Cavendish close to quitting as race reaches Alps

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Easy rider: Mark Cavendish

The British rider, who has won an amazing four stages, struggled in sweltering heat yesterday during the run from Nimes to Dignes-les-Bains - won by Spain's Oscar Freire - and may quit to save his legs for next month's Olympics in Beijing. 'He is clearly very tired,' said Team Columbia manager Bob Stapleton. 'I think we have to consider pulling him out.'

Cavendish had been desperate to finish the race in Paris next Sunday, but he looked jaded yesterday and never featured in a sprint finish that should have been made for him based on his previous stage successes.

A series of attacks on the fourth-category Col de l'Orme in the last eight miles saw the 23-year-old Isle of Man star spat out of the back of the peloton and he was over three minutes behind when his big rival Freire crossed the line.

Three-time world champion Freire sped past sprint legend Erik Zabel before edging out Leonardo Duque to increase his hold on the sprinters' green jersey.

The Rabobank rider said: 'I stayed behind Zabel's wheel and came out at just the right moment. I knew I had enough power to win it. Cavendish is a dangerous sprinter but today it just fell my way.' Australia's Cadel Evans retained the yellow jersey with a one-second cushion over Franck Schleck as the remaining cyclists prepare for three gruelling days in the Alps.

Earlier in the day, Barloworld announced they would withdraw cycling sponsorship after the Tour, following the positive test for EPO of team rider Moises Duenas Nevado. It means that Steve Cummings and Geraint Thomas, their two British riders who did not make the Tour team, are effectively out of work.