CAV COMES CLOSE IN FRANCO-BELGE

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Belgian Gert Steegmans outgunned Mark Cavendish in the final bunch sprint of the Circuit Franco-Belge on Sunday - a victory which simultaneously prevented the Briton from taking his first overall win in a pro stage race.

Since the mass dash for the line on Friday's stage two, when Steegmans beat Cavendish - although Cavendish came from too far back to make it a straight two-man sprint ? Franco-Belge has developed into a duel between the two strongest fastmen present, battling both for each day's wins and the overall victory.

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