The 215 kilometres stage from Granville to Angers, the second longest of this year’s race, saw the peloton cycling at a more leisurely pace with France’s Armindo Fonseca opting to ride clear from the start.

Fonseca spent 141km as the solo breakaway rider, but the Breton rider was then joined by fellow Frenchman Thomas Voeckler, with the duo boasting nearly a six minute lead over the main field.

As the finish approached the sprinter’s teams back to increase the pace, leading to the breakaway pair were caught inside the final eight kilometres.

While Etixx-Quick-Step initially looked to be dominating the lead-out they were eventually forced out of contention, all but ending the hopes of their sprinter Marcel Kittel.

In Kittel’s absence his fellow German, Greipel, hit the front of the race in the closing metres but the recently crowned national champion found himself come under pressure from Cavendish.

The duo proved almost inseparable when crossing the line in a time of 5hr, 59min and 54sec, leaving both men waiting for the final result to be made official.

On reflection, Cavendish was found to have ended narrowly ahead of Greipel, drawing him level with French great and five-time Tour de France winner Hinault on 28 stage wins at the Grand Tour.

The Briton, already the most successful sprinter in the history of the International Cycling Union (UCI) WorldTour race, will now set his sights on record of Eddy Merckx, with the Belgian having won 34 stages during his illustrious career.

“I normally know when I won or I lose,” said Cavendish afterwards.

“When I crossed the line, I kind of knew I got it today but anything can happen.

“I knew I had to come from behind, I wanted to be behind Greipel to launch my sprint.

“He took me by surprised but I'm happy I did it, my team-mates were phenomenal.”

Slovakia’s world champion Peter Sagan remains the overall race leader, lying eight seconds clear of France’s Julien Alaphilippe and 10 clear of Spain’s Alejandro Valverde.

Britain’s Chris Froome, the defending champion, and Colombia’s Nairo Quintana of Colombia both lie 14 seconds behind Sagan.

Tomorrow will see the longest stage of the race, with another sprint expected at the close of the 232km route from Saumur to Limoges.