AUBENAS, France, (Reuters) – Mark Cavendish became  the most successful Briton on the Tour de France when he  snatched his ninth win in the 19th stage yesterday.

Cavendish outsprinted Norway’s Thor Hushovd after 178km from  Bourgoin-Jallieu, with German Gerald Ciolek coming home third.

The Team Columbia rider beat the record eight career stage  wins of Barry Hoban as he showed unbeatable form on the final  straight to cross the line first for the fifth time this year.

Hoban won eight stages from 1967 to 1975, the last at the  age of 35, while the 24-year-old Cavendish is taking part in  only his second Tour.

“I promised to the guys that I would do something nice if  they would help me in the (final) climb,” said Cavendish.

“They are all fantastic lads.”

Spain’s Alberto Contador retained the yellow jersey with a  four minutes 11 seconds lead over Luxemburg’s Andy Schleck  despite being trapped in a late split with other top guns.

“You can lose the Tour everyday and today, I kind of slowed  down by the end because of the rain,” said the Astana rider.

“I would like tomorrow’s stage to be quiet although I know  it’s not what the fans want,” he added with a smile.

“This Tour has been extremely difficult, I am savouring it  twice as much as I would have normally.”