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July 04 2024
Mark Cavendish: Mark Cavendish, at 39, surged to victory in the Tour’s fifth stage, breaking away from the pack about 100 meters before the finish line.
Mark Cavendish wrote a new chapter in Tour de France history in what is expected to be his last appearance in cycling's biggest race. The veteran Isle of Man sprinter broke Eddy Merckx's long-standing record for most Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory on Wednesday.
Cavendish, 39, raced to victory on the Tour's fifth stage, breaking away from the line despite the crowds about 100 metres from the line. He crossed the line before Jasper Philipsen and then celebrated with teammates.
Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff, who had taken a spill earlier, managed to finish third. He clocked the same time of 4 hours, 8 minutes, and 46 seconds.
Sixteen years after his first Tour stage win, Cavendish spoke about his continued hunger for victory.
"I always needed another win, more," said Cavendish, who was joined by his children on the podium. "It takes a lot to get there every year. I have incredible people around me."
Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar narrowly escaped a crash and finished the race in 35th place in the main pack. Even though Pogacar held onto the yellow jersey as race leader, Cavendish was the real star of the day.
He matched Merckx's 34-win record in the 2021 Tour and nearly secured his 35th victory in the seventh stage last year, just missing out to Philipsen. A day later he crashed and injured his right collarbone.
Belgian Merckx, considered the most influential rider in cycling history, won all 34 individual stages at the Tour from 1969-75.
Cavendish's decision to try another shot paid off.
"I just felt like going for a run, so I went ahead and did it. I'm in a bit of disbelief. Astana made a big bet this year to make sure we do well at the Tour de France," Cavendish said. "We've done it."
Cavendish made the bold decision to delay his retirement for another year and return to the track, aiming for another shot at victory in the upcoming 2023 race.
After all, Cavendish made cycling history by winning his first Tour stage in 2008.
Other riders were happy for Cavendish, with many stopping to talk to or hug him after the 177.4-kilometer (110-mile) race from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Voulbas.
Merckx won a stage when he was so dominant that he earned the nickname "The Cannibal." Unlike Merckx, who is one of four riders to win the Tour five times, Cavendish has never won the overall title, or even come close to it.
But no one can match Cavendish's longevity among his fellow Tour sprinters.
He won the Tour de France's best sprinter's green jersey twice. He also won stages in all three Grand Tours - the others are the Giro d'Italia and the Spanish Vuelta - and became world champion in 2011.
Cavendish signed with Astana following the expiration of his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl and was not selected for the 2022 Tour.
Cavendish suffered a difficult start to this Tour. During the first stage, he appeared to struggle with stomach and heat problems.
"Cavendish confidently stated, "I know how it works, and everyone in my team understands it too. "I've done 15 Tours de France. I don't like bad days, I don't like to suffer, but I know it's just in the mind and I have to get through it."
Meanwhile, Pogacar should get through another flat stage safely on Thursday, having secured the leader's jersey on Tuesday with a brilliant attack near the top of the race's first big mountain pass.
On Wednesday, he was simply relieved to have avoided a crash. "He described the situation like this: 'We were cycling together when suddenly, something unexpected happened right in front of us. The riders ahead slowed down suddenly, and there was a slight bump as our wheels touched. Luckily, I managed to react quickly and avoid a more serious accident,' he explained, acknowledging both his quick instincts and a stroke of luck."
The 25-year-old Slovenian is 45 seconds ahead of Tour debutant Remco Evenepoel, the 2022 Vuelta and world champion. Pogacar is 50 seconds ahead of two-time defending champion Jonas Vingegaard - the Danish rider who was badly injured in a high-speed crash at the Tour of the Basque Country in early April.
Pogacar is aiming for a rare Giro-Tour double and his third Tour title after victories in 2020 and 2021. The last rider to win the Giro and Tour in the same year was the late Marco Pantani in 1998.
Wednesday's stage saw Clement Russo and Matteo Vercher make a breakaway after 35 kilometres (22 miles).
Watching French riders like Romain Bardet and Kevin Vauquelin win the first stages surely boosted the morale of their team. Because of rain, Russo and Vercher were stranded with 36 kilometers (22 miles) to go.
Stage 6 on Thursday is again suited to the sprinters, going through the vineyards to Dijon on a mainly flat journey of about 100 miles. This Friday marks the eagerly awaited start of the first individual time trial.
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