Mark Cavendish of Britain won a windy and crash-marred fifth stage of the Tour de France after a mass sprint yesterday, while Thor Hushovd of Norway kept the overall race lead.

Three-time Tour champion Alberto Contador fell in one crash and RadioShack rider Janez Brajkovic quit the race after another in the 164.5-kilometer trek from Carhaix to Cap Frehel yesterday.

Cavendish, one of the world's best sprinters, collected his 16th career Tour stage victory and first this year by speeding past Philippe Gilbert of Belgium, in second, and Jose Joaquin Rojas in third.

The top standings didn't change because the vast majority of riders crossed in the pack right behind the sprinters. Hushovd holds a one-second lead over Cadel Evans of Australia in second, and Frank Schleck of Luxembourg is third overall, 4 seconds back.

Brajkovic quickly received treatment for minor cuts and scrapes to his face, and was then evacuated to a hospital. RadioShack spokesman Philippe Maertens said the rider suffered a mild concussion, and a head scan showed he was alright.

The Slovenian, who won the Criterium du Dauphine race last year, was one of the four RadioShack leaders with Levi Leipheimer, Christopher Horner and Andreas Kloeden.