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Eritrean rider Biniam Girmay sprinted to victory in the third stage of the Tour de France on Monday while Mark Cavendish's pursuit of a record-breaking 35th stage win was postponed.

The 39-year-old Cavendish has been tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 wins for three years and put off retirement to try again this year to break the record.

But Cavendish appeared to get slowed by a crash in the finale, although it didn't appear that the British rider went down.

The mostly flat 231-kilometer (144-mile) leg from Piacenza to Turin - the longest stage of this year's Tour - provided the first chance for a mass sprint.

But there will be at least a handful of other opportunities for sprinters after the race crosses back into France following the first four stages in Italy.

"First of all I would say thanks to God for everything, for giving me all the strength and support," Girmay said before wiping away tears in his post-race interview.

"Since I started cycling I was never dreaming to be part of the Tour de France but now I can't believe it. To win in the Tour de France in my second year in a big bunch sprint is unbelievable.

"I want to say thank you to my family, my wife, Eritrea and Africa. We must be proud. Now we are part of the big races and have success. Now is our moment, now is our time."
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