Tour de France results: Mark Cavendish snatches third stage by a whisker in dramatic finish

The British hopeful edged past Andre Greipel on the line for the victory

(Getty)

Mark Cavendish snatched his second victory of the 2016 Tour de France by a matter of inches in Angers on Monday.

Andre Greipel punched the air after the pair crossed the line, but the German's celebrations proved misplaced as replays showed Cavendish took it by a whisker.

Cavendish won stage one of the Tour on Saturday to wear the yellow jersey for the first time in his career, and this latest success gives him 28 Tour stage wins, moving him level with Bernard Hinault in second on the all-time list behind Eddy Merckx on 34.

Peter Sagan finished fourth to retain the yellow jersey he took off Cavendish with victory in Sunday's stage.

Cavendish had been an entire bike length behind Greipel 50 metres from the line but found the speed to come around the Lotto-Soudal rider and claim a superb win by no more than an inch or two, with Brian Coquard of FDJ in third.

Cavendish's win on Saturday had silenced critics who questioned whether the 31-year-old still had the beating of cycling's premier sprinters, and this repeat performance will be further vindication for the Team Dimension Data rider.

"I normally know when I win or I lose," Cavendish said. "When I crossed the line, I kind of knew I got it today but anything can happen.

"I knew I had to come from behind. I wanted to be behind Greipel to launch my sprint. He took me by surprise but I'm happy I did it.

"My teammates were phenomenal. It's superb for Dimension Data. We came here, we made our sponsors proud."

Chris Froome finished near the front of the pack, 22nd on the day, moving the Team Sky man up to fourth overall, still 14 seconds off yellow.

PA