Cavendish denied win

ByReuters

Updated 15/06/2010 at 18:18 GMT

British sprinter Mark Cavendish emerged unscathed from a crash with victory in sight during the final 30 metres of the fourth stage of the Tour of Switzerland.

The pack of riders including HTC Columbia's team rider Mark Cavendish (L) and and Cervelo Test Team's team rider Heinrich Haussler (2ndR) crash during their sprint next to the finish line during the fourth stage of the Tour de Suisse

Image credit: Reuters

Cavendish and German Heinrich Haussler collided close to the finish in Wettingen with HTC-Columbia rider Cavendish spinning to the ground.

Team doctor Helge Ripenhof said the Briton had suffered severe skin rash and bruising but no bones were broken. He was taken to hospital for X-rays.

"He has skin rash everywhere," Riepenhof said.

Tour of the Alps

Tour of the Alps Stage 4 highlights as Britain's Carr surges to victory and Lopez retains GC lead

00:02:51

a day ago

"In the right shoulder, the right hip, the right knee, and he's very shaken but no broken bones as far we can see. He might even start tomorrow's stage."

A dozen riders fell with Frenchman Arnaud Coyot suffering a suspected broken hip. Seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong was not involved.

Italian Alessandro Petawcchi won the 192.2 kms stage with Dane Matti Breschel in second place ahead of another Italian Marco Marcato. German Tony Martin of the HTC-Columbia team retained the overall lead.

"I don't like winning this way, " Petacchi said later. "If Cavendish hadn't crashed, for sure he'd have won."

The race finishes in Liestal on June 20.

Tour of Switzerland: 3.45pm LIVE on British Eurosport 2 (Sky 411 / Virgin 525) & on the Eurosport Player

Cycling