ST FARGEAU, France, (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish  yesterday laughed off media reports that he had made  derogatory comments about the French on the Tour de France.

Sports daily l’Equipe ran a brief story yesterday citing unnamed French riders claiming Cavendish was anti-French.

“I had to laugh with this when I was shown the paper. I know I’m not like this. Everyone knows I’m not like this,” Cavendish told a press conference after his fourth stage win in St Fargeau yesterday.

The 24-year-old rider, who has won eight stages in two Tours, added he had started learning French in the winter to be able to answer interviews.
“I love to be here and race,” he said.