Briton Mark Cavendish has been accused of using racist language against some of the host riders at the Tour de France, according to L'Equipe newspaper.

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The Isle of Man rider is considered the world's fastest road sprinter, however his "arrogance", according to the report, is increasingly annoying more of the local riders in the peloton.

Cavendish has already been accused of not doing his share of the work in the 'grupetto', the slow bunch of non-climbers which usually works together to get through the difficult mountains stages.

But some French riders claim to have also been racially insulted by the 24-year-old, who claimed his third stage from this year's race when he won stage 10 at Issoudun to take his career tally to seven.

Speaking anonymously to L'Equipe for fear of tactical reprisals by Cavendish and his Columbia team, the riders said they have just about had enough.

"Cavendish is racist, he's anti-French," said one rider. "He should be careful. We're not going to put up with his attitude much longer."