The 36-year-old Deceuninck-QuickStep sprinter powered across the line to win the 150.4-kilometre fourth stage in 3 hours 20min 17sec.

It was an emotional victory for Cavendish, who considered retiring last year and was a late call-up to the Tour squad after Sam Bennett was ruled out due to a knee injury.

"I don't know what to say," the Olympic omnium silver medallist commented.

"Just being here is special enough, you know?

"I didn't think I'd get to come back to this race.

"I thought I was never coming back to this race. 

"When you come to Deceuninck-QuickStep, they have the best riders in the world, so it wasn't even a thought to come here."

It is the 31st Tour de France stage win of Cavendish's career.

Frenchman Nacer Bouhanni of Arkéa-Samsic came second with Belgian Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Fenix third as Cavendish held off the challenge of the two riders.

Cavendish claims the green jersey off team mate Julian Alaphilippe of France who had led the points classification for the past three stages.

"You just see what a great team this is," added Cavendish.

"You've got the green jersey, the world champion Julian Alaphilippe coming to do the final pull just to try to catch the breakaway, putting everything in.

"So many people didn't believe in me but these guys do."

Dutch rider Mathieu van der Poel of Alpecin-Fenix retained the overall race lead, eight seconds ahead of Alaphilippe, after finishing in 12th position with the same time as the stage winner.

The Tour de France is due to continue tomorrow with the 27.2km individual time trial from Changé to Laval.