Cavendish denies making anti-French slurs

ST FARGEAU, France (Reuters) - Mark Cavendish Wednesday laughed off media reports that he had made derogatory comments about the French on the Tour de France.

Sports daily l'Equipe ran a brief story Wednesday citing unnamed French riders claiming Cavendish was anti-French.

"I had to laugh with this when I was shown the paper. I know I'm not like this. Everyone knows I'm not like this," Cavendish told a press conference after his fourth stage win in St Fargeau Wednesday.

The 24-year-old rider, who has won eight stages in two Tours, added he had started learning French in the winter to be able to answer interviews.

"I love to be here and race," he said.

(Reporting by Francois Thomazeau; Editing by Nigel Hunt)