The Manxman, who has now won three stages at this year's edition, produced another sprinting masterclass to defeat arch-rival Marcel Kittel on the downhill finish.

He has now surpassed Bernard Hinault's haul of 28 stage victories and moved within five of the record of 34 hailed by cycling legend Eddy Merckx.

It came after a sedate 190 kilometres journey from Arpajon-du-Cére in which a breakaway by Japan's Yukiya Arashiro and Czech Republic's Jan Barta established a six minute lead before being gradually pulled back in.

The pace rocketed towards the finish, with leadout trains struggling to form on the technical run-in.

Cavendish, riding for Dimension Data, held on to the wheel of Kittel before launching his sprint early.

He powered around his German rival before holding-on to win in 4 hours 43min 48sec and move back into the lead in the Green Jersey sprinters competition.

"Oh my god, that was terrifying," Cavendish told ITV4 afterwards. 

"That was like the old days, just wheel surfing. 

"There are almost two finish lines, and I was a little bit too far back so it was carnage in the final straight, there were guys coming from everywhere.

"I was fighting to be on Marcel Kittel's heel, I wasn't sure if they were that organised, but it was downhill and I put in on a big gear and maxed out. 

"I went for the line and I had to come again, but I did what Marcel has done to me in the last four years and held on."

Britain's Daniel McLay produced a superb performance to finish third for Fortuneo-Vital Concept.

Belgium's Greg Van Avermaet remains in the yellow jersey position after a stage which did little to change the overall standings.