By W. G. S. D. Wijesinghe, Jadetimes news
Mark Cavendish made history by securing his 35th stage victory at the Tour de France, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx. In a sensational sprint finish in Saint Vulbas, the 39 year old cyclist celebrated his victory with raised arms and was quickly embraced by his team. This monumental win comes during what is expected to be Cavendish's final Tour.
Cavendish's triumph is especially significant given his recent struggles. Last year, he suffered a race ending crash on stage eight, just one day after nearly breaking the record. Previously, he had matched Merckx's 34 stage win record in 2021. Motivated by the desire to end his career with the outright record, Cavendish delayed his retirement and returned to the Tour.
Despite battling illness, injuries, and depression that left him winless in 2019 and 2020, Cavendish made a remarkable comeback. Joining the Belgian Quick Step team in 2021, he won four stages at that year's Tour. Although he was left out of the 2022 Tour, he joined Kazakhstan's Astana team at the last minute for 2023. His resilience paid off with a record breaking victory, cementing his legacy as the greatest sprinter of all time.
Stage five's 177.4 km route from Saint Jean de Maurienne to Saint Vulbas provided an opportunity for Cavendish to make his historic move. Despite challenges, including a near disaster for race leader Tadej Pogacar, Cavendish's team remained well-organized. With a trademark burst to the finish line, he secured his 165th career victory.
Reacting to his win, former teammate Geraint Thomas expressed his joy for Cavendish, noting the significance of holding the record alone. Thomas humorously mentioned Cavendish's desire to continue racing, indicating that he might not retire just yet. Stage six offers another chance for sprinters with a flat 163.5 km route from Macon to Dijon, concluding with an 800m straight finish.
In a dramatic and emotional finish, Mark Cavendish achieved the historic milestone that many believed was his destiny. His journey of perseverance and triumph serves as an inspiration in the world of cycling.