Andre Greipel punched the air after the pair crossed the line, but the German’s celebrations proved misplaced as replays showed Cavendish took it by a whisker.

Cavendish won stage one of the Tour on Saturday to wear the yellow jersey for the first time in his career, and this latest success gives him 28 Tour stage wins, moving him level with Bernard Hinault in second on the all-time list behind Eddy Merckx on 34.

Cavendish had been an entire bike length behind Greipel 50 metres from the line but found the speed to come around the Lotto-Soudal rider and claim a superb win by no more than an inch or two, with Brian Coquard of FDJ in third.

Cavendish’s win on Saturday had silenced critics who questioned whether the 31-year-old still had the beating of cycling’s premier sprinters, and this repeat performance will be further vindication for the Team Dimension Data rider.