SAINT-VULBUS, France — Mark Cavendish wrote a new chapter in the history of the Tour de France in what is expected to be his last appearance in cycling’s greatest race.
The Isle of Man veteran sprinter broke Eddy Merckx’s longstanding record for most Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory on Wednesday.
Cavendish, 39, sprinted to victory on the Tour’s fifth stage, despite the crowds he overtook about 100 metres from the line. He crossed the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen and then celebrated with teammates.
Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff, who had crashed earlier, finished third. He was given the same time of 4 hours, 8 minutes, 46 seconds.
Sixteen years after his first Tour stage win, Cavendish spoke about his continued hunger for victory.
“I always needed one more win,” said Cavendish, who was accompanied by his children on the podium. “It takes a lot of hard work to get there every year. I have incredible people around me.”
Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar escaped the crash unscathed and finished the race in 35th place in the lead group. Although Pogacar retained the race leader’s yellow jersey, the day belonged to Cavendish.
He equalled Merckx’s record of 34 wins during the 2021 Tour and came close to 35th on last year’s seventh stage when he was narrowly beaten by Philipsen. He crashed a day later and injured his right collarbone.
Belgium’s Merckx, considered the most dominant rider in cycling history, won 34 individual stages at the Tour from 1969-75.
Cavendish’s decision to make one more attempt was successful.
“I just wanted to run to do it. I’m in a bit of disbelief. Astana made a big bet on doing well in the Tour de France this year,” Cavendish said. “We’ve done it.”
With the 2023 race looming, Cavendish decided to postpone retirement for a year and come back to try again.
Ultimately, Cavendish made cycling history by winning his first Tour stage in 2008.
Other riders were happy for Cavendish, with many stopping to talk to him or hug him after riding the 177.4 kilometres (110 mi) from Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas.
Merckx achieved his victory during a period 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 Cavendish’s longevity among his fellow Tour runners is unmatched.
He won the green jersey for best sprinter in the Tour de France twice. He also won all three Grand Tours – the others are the Giro d’Italia and the Spanish Vuelta – and became world champion in 2011.
Cavendish joined Astana following the expiry of his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl and was overlooked for the 2022 Tour.
Cavendish faced difficulties at the start of this Tour. He had to struggle with stomach and heat problems in the first stage.
“I know how it works, my trainer and everyone around me know how it works,” Cavendish said. “I’ve done 15 Tour de Frances. I don’t like bad days, I don’t like suffering, but I know it’s only in the mind and I have to get over it.”
Meanwhile, Pogacar should safely overcome another flat stage on Thursday after he reclaimed the leader’s jersey on Tuesday with a superb attack near the top of the race’s first big mountain pass.
On Wednesday, he was simply relieved that the accident was averted.
“We were together and suddenly something came out of nowhere. The guys in front of me braked and we collided wheels a bit, but luckily I was saved,” he said. “I reacted instinctively and was very lucky.”
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.
Clement Russo and Matteo Vercher went their separate ways after 35 kilometres (22 miles) of Wednesday’s stage.
Given that French riders had won the first two stages through Romain Bardet and Kevin Vauquelin, this may have inspired them. Due to rain, Russo and Vercher became stranded with 36 kilometres (22 mi) to go.
Stage 6 on Thursday is again suited to the sprinters, heading through the vineyards to Dijon on a mainly flat journey of around 100 miles. The first individual time trial is on Friday.
