Green jersey race is not going to be easy

The 25-year-old from the Isle of Man won stages five and six of the Tour last Thursday and Friday – taking his tally to 12 victories in the last three Tours – but after an eventful start to his fourth Tour, Cavendish lies 33 points behind maillot vert incumbent Thor Hushovd.

Prior to the Tour, Cavendish said winning the points classification's green jersey was his target, but HTC-Columbia team owner Bob Stapleton said: "I think the green jersey's going to be a war, but I don't think it's really Mark's focus."

The points classification battle is set to take a back seat in the next few days in the Alps, but once it resumes on the flat terrain, Stapleton believes it will be hotly contested.

"We're going to try and grab some more stage wins and that's what we do best – focus on winning a given day."