Survival is the name of the game for sprint star Mark Cavendish as he bids to make history in the Tour de France.

The Manxman has targeted victory in the final stage in nine days' time which would see him become Britain's most successful Tour rider ever.

But first the 24-year-old must successfully negotiate the Alpine stages, which now take centre stage.

Cavendish will start still wearing the points leader's green jersey after finishing eighth yesterday, one place ahead of rival Thor Hushovd.

Having been content to stay in the peloton after his two stage wins in a row, Cavendish admitted: “We needed a break to be fresh to get through the Alps. The focus is on Paris now.”

Rinaldo Nocentini still has a six-second lead in the general classification after finishing along with Astana pair Alberto Contador and Lance Armstrong in the chasing pack behind stage winner Nicki Sorensen.