Mark Cavendish is back at the top of his game after a disappointing spring. He scored his second stage win in a row at the Tour de France today after a hot slog to Gueugnon.
The win almost looked easy for Cavendish, as though he has the same confidence and winning ability as last year.
"I spoke with 'Peta' [Alessandro Petacchi] in the peloton yesterday, and it is not often you can talk to a rival about problems," explained Cavendish. "He's got class and is such a good guy. He said, 'Mark, the problem is not in your legs, it's in your head.'"
Cavendish's win yesterday meant so much to him after a difficult winter due to teeth problems and other issues that he had a hard time accepting the praise on the podium. He cried and had to gather himself before beginning even to speak to the gathered pressed.
French newspaper L'Equipe captured the moment with a teary-eyed Cavendish photo and the headline: Cavendish's Tears.
"He had a series of disappointments that go back to December," said team owner, Bob Stapleton.
"When you won Milan-San Remo and you realise in January that you don't have a chance to do it again, that is a long time of disappointment. Then you have other objectives during the season, but you can't get there either because of injuries or stupid things. You don't forget that."
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"It was a release of all the emotions, every emotion came out in that moment," said Cavendish of the newspaper.
"I had problems in the winter. I sat down in January and said it was going to be a hard year - I knew I was going to get criticism, unfortunately I let that get to me. I was lucky I had great family and friends, who all picked me up when I was down."
Cavendish's win was his 12th at the Tour de France, adding to four from 2008 and six last year. He now equals the Tour de France stage wins of former great sprinters Mario Cipollini and Erik Zabel.
He has three more chances in this Tour de France to score again, the next is Thursday, stage 11 to Bourg-lès-Valence.
Tour de France 2010: Latest news
Cavendish strikes back in Tour de France
Thomas happy with Tour's white jersey; but says 'All for Brad'
Wiggins crashes on Tour stage start
Cavendish and Farrar return to top
Cavendish keeps up fight for first Tour win
Sky delivers Boasson Hagen to third without pressure
Thomas in tour's white jersey; Wiggins gains time
Evans and Schleck gain in Tour's hell of the north
The Feed Zone: Tour news and views (July 6)
Vande Velde abandons Tour following crash
Andy Schleck has a laugh after stage two crash
The Feed Zone: News and views (July 5)
Sky banks on Thomas ahead of cobbled stage
Cavendish's sprint train weakened with Hansen out
Armstrong under fire as Landis allegations reach mainstream
Team Sky's decision to put Wiggins off early back fires
Tour de France 2010: Stage reports
Stage six: Cavendish makes it two as Tour hots up
Stage five: Cavendish wins his first stage of Tour
Stage four: Petacchi wins into Reims
Stage three: Hushovd takes dramatic win; Thomas second on stage and GC
Stage three live coverage: As it happened
Stage two: Comeback man Chavanel takes victory in Spa
Stage one: Petacchi wins in Brussels as bunch left in tatters
Prologue: Cancellara pips Martin to win
Tour de France 2010: Photos
Stage six photo gallery
Stage five photo gallery
Stage four photo gallery
Stage three photo gallery
Stage two photo gallery
Stage one gallery
Prologue photo gallery
Tour de France 2010: Videos
Stage five video highlights
Stage four video highlights
Stage three video highlights
Stage two video highlights
Stage one video highlights
Prologue video highlights
Tour de France 2010: Race guide
Tour de France 2010: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Official start list, with race numbers
Brits at the Tour 2010
Tout team guide
Tour jerseys: What they are and what they mean
Brits in the Tours: From Robinson to Wiggins
Tour de France 2010: Pictures
Tour team presentation, Rotterdam
Tour teams take to the cobbles: Photo special
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