Mark Cavendish struggled mightily in the tough final fifth stage of the Tour of Oman for Quick-Step-Alfa Vinyl, but overcame a violent crash to sprint for the sixth and final stage, Matra Corniche, on Tuesday.

The crash was not the only hardship for Cavendish. Later news came through Wielerflits (open in new tab) that he had been pushed out of the race doctor's car on three separate occasions and had nine points deducted from his green jersey.

The Englishman has held the green jersey since his thrilling upset sprint victory on stage 2 and may add another to his career collection.

Stage 5 winner Jan Hilt (Intermarché-Wantigovert) is still the closest sprinter in the standings with 32 points after his victory on Green Mountain, but Cavendish remains the closest sprinter in the standings. However, Cavendish remains the sprinter closest in the standings. Before the penalty, Cavendish was tied on points, but is now nine points behind.

After Monday's finish at Green Mountain, where teammate and stage 5 winner Fausto Masnada was 1:48 behind Hilt in the race, Cavendish was lucky to escape with relatively minor injuries after a windy crash in the middle of the 150.5 km He said, "I was lucky to get away with relatively minor injuries.

"As is often the case in the chaos of echelon formation, I touched my wheel and unfortunately crashed pretty hard.

"I was lucky that my injuries were not too severe and I was able to ride my bike with only bruises and scrapes.

Cavendish crossed the road after a crash in which Groupama-FDJ's Ignatas Konovalovas also crashed.

Cavendish finished the stage with cuts on his jersey and shorts along with teammate Iljo Caisse, but he led the peloton for his team late in the race and scored two points in the second intermediate sprint, which took place 11 km from the finish.

"I hope the other riders involved [in the crash] are okay and I want to thank the race doctor who took care of me," Cavendish added.

Cavendish will be in contention for the points prize on Tuesday with former teammate and stage 1 winner Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates).