Mark Cavendish wrote a new chapter of Tour de France history in what is expected to be his last appearance at cycling’s biggest race.
The veteran Isle of Man sprinter broke Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record for most career Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory.
The 39-year-old Cavendish sprinted for the win in the fifth stage of the Tour, pulling away some 100 metres from the line despite being bunched in. He crossed the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen and then celebrated with teammates.
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Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff, who had crashed earlier, finished third. They were given the same time of four hours, eight minutes, and 46 seconds.
Sixteen years after his first Tour stage win, Cavendish spoke of his constant hunger for victory.
“I always needed to win one more, more more,” said Cavendish, who was joined by his children on the podium. “It takes a lot to get there every year. I’ve got incredible people around me.”
Britain’s sprinter Mark Cavendish celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win a record 35th Tour de France stage. AP
Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar narrowly avoided a crash and finished nestled in the main pack in 35th place. While Pogacar retained the race leader’s yellow jersey, the day belonged to Cavendish.
He equaled Merckx’s mark of 34 wins during the 2021 Tour and went close to No.35 in the seventh stage last year when he was narrowly beaten by Philipsen. He crashed a day later and broke his right collarbone.
Merckx, the Belgian considered the most dominant rider in cycling history, won his 34 individual stages at the Tour from 1969-75.
Cavendish’s decision to give it one more shot paid off.
“I just wanted to get the run-in to do it. I’m a little bit in disbelief. Astana put a big gamble on this year to make sure we’re good at the Tour de France,” Cavendish said. “We’ve done it.”
With his 2023 race ending early, Cavendish decided to put off retirement by a year and came back to try again.
Finally, Cavendish made cycling history, after winning his first Tour stage back in 2008.
Other riders were happy for Cavendish, with several stopping to speak with or hug him after the 177.4-kilometre leg from Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas
Merckx amassed his wins in an era during which his domination was such that he earned the nickname “The Cannibal.” Unlike Merckx, one of four riders to win the Tour five times, Cavendish has never won the overall title, or come close.
But Cavendish’s longevity among his fellow Tour sprinters has no equal.
He won the Tour de France best sprinter’s green jersey twice. He also won stages at all three Grand Tours — the others are the Giro d’Italia and Spanish Vuelta — and became a world champion in 2011.
Cavendish joined Astana after his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl expired and he was overlooked for the 2022 Tour.
Cavendish had faced a difficult start to this Tour. During the first stage, he appeared to struggle with stomach and heat issues.
“I know how it works, my trainer and everyone around me knows how it is,” Cavendish said. “I’ve done 15 Tours de France. I don’t like to have bad days, I don’t like to suffer but I know it’s just in the head and to push through it.”
Meanwhile, Pogacar has another flat stage to get through safely Friday, having reclaimed the leader’s jersey Wednesday with a brilliant attack near the top of the race’s first big mountain pass.