Britain's Mark Cavendish hailed his sixth stage win from this year's Tour de France "beautiful" after powering his way to a stunning victory on the world famous Champs Elysees on Sunday.

In doing so the Isle of Man-born rider became the first Tour rider in the post-War era to win six stages from a sprint in one edition of the Tour.

And that more than made amends for Cavendish missing out on the sprinter's green jersey for the points competition.

Despite Cavendish's winning ride in the shadow of the Arc de Triomphe, Cervelo's Thor Hushovd won the green jersey with 280pts against Cavendish's 270.

A superb lead-out from Columbia team-mate Mark Renshaw gave Cavendish a clear run to the line as he left both Hushovd and Garmin sprinter Tyler Farrar behind.

"The Champs Elysees is a dream for every sprinter in the world: to cross the finish line in view of the Arc de Triomphe with your arms in the air," he said.

"It was a beautiful feeling, it was a proud feeling and to win made it even more beautiful.

"It's one of the most spectacular feelings and it didn't disappoint me.

"I said before the race, winning stages and finishing in Paris were my goals.

"Yeah, I got a bit excited when I was in the green jersey briefly, but Thor rode well and he deserves to win it.

"I can't complain, I have six stage victories."

Cavendish praised the support from his Columbia team, especially Renshaw who made the perfect break in the final straight to cut off an attack from Garmin.

"I am probably the luckiest sprinter on the planet, because I can look at Mark's back wheel with 50kms to go and know I will be delivered at the front 200m from the line," added Cavendish, who now has 10 stage wins from the past two editions.

"Our team puts us there, but Mark's positioning is phenomenal.

"He rides a bike like he rides a tandem, he knows he has to go through a gap I can also get through.

"That is the trust I have in him and him in me.

"To come away with first and second on the Champs Elysees makes it all the sweeter."

As the out-spoken bad boy of British sprinting, Cavendish hit the headlines earlier in the Tour having been accused of racism towards the French as well as a heated exchange with Hushovd.

He was disqualified from the Tour's 14th stage in Besancon after accusations he tried to force Hushovd into the barriers near the finish, but Cavendish insisted everything is now fine between the pair.

"It's fine, we have always got on well, to fall out over something so silly would not be good," said the 24-year-old.

"He is a great guy, we have always got on well and always will.

"I am sure it won't be the last time I have discrepancies with people, but it's always in the heat of the moment with me and I think people know that.

"When I have time to reflect on it, I know I have been a bit silly."