Cavendish thanks evergreen Zabel for points jersey

BRIGNOLES, France (Reuters) - Mark Cavendish snatched his first Tour de France green jersey thanks to his stage win in Brignoles on Sunday and made it clear he could thank team adviser Erik Zabel for it.

The Briton won the first mass sprint of this Tour, having had to wait five days last year for the first of his four stage victories.

As a result, in 2008 he was never really in a position to go for the points qualification, finally won by Spain's Oscar Freire.

"The green jersey is a big goal for any sprinter and it's beautiful and emotional to wear it," said Cavendish.

To take it all the way to Paris is another matter but the Manx can count on the very best adviser in his Team Columbia -- Zabel who won the green jersey six times.

"I think nobody will disagree that Erik was the most consistent rider of his generation.

"At 24, I don't have as much experience. But if you combine my ability to sprint with Erik's experience, you've got the recipe for success," Cavendish said.

The German, who also won 12 stages of the Tour, was already a great help for Cavendish when his protege won Milan-San Remo in April, a race Zabel won four times.

"As for the green jersey, he won it countless times. We work so well together," added the Briton.