Tour de France 2009: Mark Cavendish loses top spot to gutsy Thor Hushovd Norway's Thor Hushovd, one of the most talented all-round riders in the peloton, signalled that Mark Cavendish will have to win the green jersey the hard way.
Hushovd made a typically gutsy ride in the mountains between Vittel and Colmar to regain the lead in the points competition.
This was in no way sprinters' territory and Cavendish decided early in the day to conserve his energy for challenges ahead. However, Hushovd sensed an opportunity and grabbed it with both hands.
Although unable to go with the break, which eventually saw Heinrich Haussler take off on his own for a memorable win, Hushovd dug deep to stay with the next bunch, containing all the main contenders. He won the sprint at the finish to take sixth place and 15 priceless points. He now goes back into green, on 205 points to Cavendish's 200.Cavendish needs to hit back on Saturday during a gnarly run from Colmar to Besancon. The tough undulating terrain, with two category-three climbs en route, will also offer every encouragement to the likes of Haussler and others looking to pick off a stage win.
Hushovd could be tired after his efforts, although he seems to suffer less from fatigue than most, and Cavendish and his Columbia team-mates need to work hard to contain any breaks and ensure their man has a chance to use his pace at the end. After that it is mountains all the way until the last individual time-trial in Annecy next Thursday.
There are a few intermediate sprints on the way but they will probably involve Hushovd more than Cavendish and although the latter would always fancy his chance of winning the final sprint on the Champs-Elysee, Hushovd is also likely to garner points there.
Although there was no movement on the road, or indeed any attempt at movement and attack, in the main competition, Britain's Bradley Wiggins, for the second consecutive day, climbed a position and now lies in a heady fourth place, a superb effort.
Rilando Nocentini will continue to wear the yellow jersey after Brice Feillu, the best-performing of his immediate rivals, failed to close the gap significantly.
On Thursday he had a 15-second deficit reinstated after being impeded by a crash inside the final 3km and the retirement of Levi Leipheimer, who has broken a wrist, resulted in his promotion to fourth.
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