• Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins at the start - they were to combine brilliantly at the end of the stage
  • Wiggins signs autographs for the legions of fans
  • Bernhard Eisel is interviewed before the stage starts
  • A frantic opening hour saw a number of breaks try and go clear
  • Over 48km were covered in the first hour
  • This 16-man break, which included Edvald Boasson Hagen, finally moved clear
  • The peloton never let the escape group get out of range
  • Richie Porte was back in the mix after his crash the previous day
  • Team Sky kept the yellow jersey of Bradley Wiggins well protected
  • Wiggins would later have a key role in the lead-out, producing a massive turn on the front...
  • ...Which helped set up Cavendish to go for glory
  • The Manx Missile delivered in perfect style
  • Cavendish put bike lengths between himself and the rest
  • It was Cavendish's second win at this year's Tour from limited opportunities...
  • ...And it put him fourth on the all-time list with 22
  • Michael Rogers congratulates Cavendish - the whole team committed to him
  • With Edvald Boasson Hagen, who helped lead him out after being in the break earlier in the day
  • All smiles on the podium
  • Wiggins comfortably maintained his overall advantage...
  • ...To stay in the maillot jaune
  • He now has two stages to go in his bid to be the first British winner of the Tour de France

Tour stage 18 gallery

Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins at the start - they were to combine brilliantly at the end of the stage