Britian's Mark Cavendish blew kisses to fans as he crossed the finish line first in Stage 11 of the Tour de France. The race was Cavendish's third win of the Tour de France and earned him the green jersey, signifying his spot at the top of the points standings.

Cavendish, who rides for HTC-Highroad, has emerged as one of this year's top sprinters.

It's incredible to have the green jersey, it's the most beautiful jersey in the world, Cavendish told reporters after the race. I have to thank my team-mates for the work they did today, even the guys who are in the top ten overall gave it one hundred percent and that shows what a great team we are.

He isn't expected to win more races anytime soon though, as the dreaded mountain stages are on the near horizon.

It's during the Alpine and Pyrenees mountain stages where two-time defending champion Alberto Contador is expected to take over. Contador fell behind the pack after an early crash, but is known as one of the world's greatest mountain climbers and should be able to make up some of the time.

Tomorrow will be a tough hard day, and the first day of the Tour where the favorites can no longer hide and will have to show their form in the high mountains, Contador told The Daily Peloton.

His main competition figures to be Cadel Evans of BMC Racing, who currently has over a minute lead on Contador.

Race filled with crashes

This year's Tour de France has been marred by crashes that have taken out some of the sport's leading cyclists. On Thursday, another major crash took place this time taking out race leader Geraint Thomas. Thomas was in a lead pack before losing control on a bend and crashing onto the grass.

Thomas Voeckler, who owned the yellow jersey going into the race, had an accident of his own during Stage 11. Voekler skidded on a slippery surface and crashed into a parked car, knocking down fellow cyclists that were behind him.

Perhaps the most talked about crash in the Tour de France involved a French television cameraman clipping Johnny Hoogerland and Juan Antonio Flecha. Hoogerland needed 33 stitches after the collision though he has remained in the race.

Tour de France rider
Garmin-Cervelo rider Ryder Hesjedal of Canada leads the pack during the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2011 cycling race from Blaye Les Mines to Lavaur July 13, 2011 REUTERS
Pack of Tour de France riders
HTC-Highroad rider Mark Cavendish of Britain (L) cycles to win the 11th stage of the Tour de France REUTERS
Cavendish
HTC-Highroad rider Mark Cavendish of Britain puts on the best sprinter green jersey on the podium after the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2011 REUTERS
Thomas Voeckler
Europcar rider Thomas Voeckler (L) of France, wearing the yellow jersey, rides next to Omega Pharma-Lotto rider Philippe Gilbert of Belgium during the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2011 REUTERS
Thomas Voeckler 2
Europcar rider Thomas Voeckler of France, wearing the yellow jersey, rides during the 11th stage of the Tour de France 2011 cycling race from Blaye Les Mines to Lavaur July 13, 2011. REUTERS
Johnny Hoogerland
Vacansoleil-DCM rider Johnny Hoogerland (R) of the Netherlands rides next to his compatriot Rabobank rider Robert Gesink during the eleventh stage of the Tour de France 2011 REUTERS
Ryder Hesjedal
Garmin-Cervelo rider Ryder Hesjedal of Canada leads the pack REUTERS