Mark Cavendish, who is doing a great season with 13 wins, finished once again on the podium of the stage in the Tour de France. The Etixx-Quick Step rider crossed the finish line behind André Greipel (Lotto Belisol) and Peter Sagan (Tinkoff Saxo). Brian Holm, the directeur sportif, explained that the British rider should have to spend less energy during the pavé stage.

"We should have let Cav drop yesterday," Holm said after stage 5 according to Cyclingnews. "I should have asked him to drop before the cobblestones and ride piano with the last group so he could be fresh for today. He probably had yesterday in the legs a bit. I saw Greipel drop off yesterday and maybe he was more fresh. Unfortunately that’s how it happens."

"I was in the car and we just saw the last 50 metres and it looked like Greipel was just the fastest so big congrats to Greipel and Lotto," said Holm. "He’s a good cyclist and a good kid so I can’t really be depressed about Greipel winning. He’s a good lad. Sagan I think also got more seconds on Tony, I think he deserves a win sooner or later. He’s pulling and riding and climbing and he’s always second. He’s a fantastic cyclist."

Patrick Lefevere, the Etixx-Quick Step team boss, told Cavendish has to prove that he is still the fastest in the peloton. "I think he can deal with the pressure, that’s his job and that’s what he gets paid for… It’s part of your life as a cyclist when you’re a superstar there is a certain pressure that is on you", Holm concluded.