Mark Cavendish sprinted to fifth place on stage 4 from Dax to Nogaro, bettering his sixth place finish on stage 3. But it was a unique opportunity and another empty shellacking for Mark Cavendish, who had won a record-breaking stage at the 35th Tour de France.

It was a day of extremes. After one of the toughest Tour starts in recent years in the Basque Country, the peloton's only motivation on stage 4 was a very easy day. Despite a half-hearted charge by several Belgians, including Wout Van Aert, after an intermediate sprint, it was more than 100 km before the breakaway finally set off on a televised time attack.

However, confusion ensued as the battle for position began in the last few kilometers. With 2.7 km to go, Jumbo Visma's Matej Mohoric (Bahrain Victorious) led the peloton into the Nogaro circuit, Paul Armagnac.

"It was a big mess," Cavendish told television and the press. Every team had a strategy for that final race, and I don't think any of them got it right, except for Jumbo, who got into the narrow streets early on. There was a real mix of different players in the final."

Cavendish did not shower before the interview, unlike in the third stage the day before.

However, it is only speculation that the Manxman feels this way. After exchanging light hugs with team principal Alexandre Vinokurov and sprint-leading consultant Mark Renshaw, he quickly answered questions. As before, his demeanor was calm, he took time to think about his answers, and he even cracked a joke.

"My boys did exactly what I wanted," he continued. He hopped from train to train, "constantly analyzing who was out there and who else had teammates. Finally, I saw Mads [Pedersen], and I think [Jasper] Steuben was with him.

"Stuyven was going to lead him and Mads always finishes early. But they didn't go. I waited [at one point I thought, it's 350 meters to go, I'm going to run now and if someone passes me, I'm going to limit my losses. But a gamble is a gamble, and I waited for them to go. Eventually they didn't go and everyone else made the jump. I was trying to get the best position at that point."

There were four separate crashes in the carnage described by Cavendish. Fabio Jacobsen crashed hard and Cavendish's teammate Luis Leon Sanchez was also injured and taken to hospital for tests. In another incident, Mathieu van der Pol was found guilty of elbowing a competitor and was fined CHF 500 and demoted to last place in the group.

Cavendish avoided a brawl well. The unassuming Cees Bol told Cyclingnews that "I was able to help him here and there," adding that Cavendish "found the exit alone at the last corner."

"I'm most worried about Luis Leon Sanchez. From what I just heard, he crashed. I hope he's okay."

Of the six flat stages in this year's Tour de France, the Briton had previously highlighted only five that he thought were a chance for him.

"Three more. Limoges is not a sprint. In the past it would have been a sprint, but it's 4% per kilometer, so the riders who always sabotage the sprinters will try to sprint. Bordeaux will be the next race for us."