Stage: A 107.2-mile, mostly flat ride from Figeac to Toulouse, the final part of which took place in heavy rain.

Winner: Mark Cavendish of Britain. His Team Columbia teammate Gerald Ciolek was second, with Jimmy Casper of France third.

Yellow Jersey: Kim Kirchen of Luxembourg—the Team Columbia leader—continues to hold the overall lead ahead of Cadel Evans of Australia, with former leader Stefan Schumacher of Germany third.

Quote of the Day: “At the end of the day, whether it’s up, down, left, right, I’m still riding my bike and it’s what I love to do. I used to work in a bank. As long as I’m riding my bike I know I’m the luckiest guy on the planet, so that’s that.”—Cavendish, when asked if he was afraid of Sunday’s mountain stage.

Next stage: Today will begin to sort the potential winners from the rest of the field as the Tour hits the big mountains for the first time. The 139.2-mile ninth stage through the Pyrenees from Toulouse to Bagneres-de-Bigorre includes two category 1 climbs.