Mark Cavendish etched his name in cycling history by securing his 35th stage victory at the Tour de France, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx with a thrilling sprint finish in Saint Vulbas.
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Competing in what is likely his final Tour, the 39-year-old British cyclist powered to victory in a dramatic conclusion to stage five, breaking away from the pack and jubilantly crossing the finish line.
His achievement was marked by celebratory embraces from his team, acknowledging the significance of his historic win.
“This race is unpredictable. You give it everything you have until the finish line, and crossing it first can change your life,” Cavendish reflected in an interview with ITV, capturing the essence of the Tour’s allure.
Cavendish had shared the record for most Tour stage wins with Eddy Merckx, with both cyclists holding 34 wins each until Cavendish’s triumph in 2021.
Originally intending to retire after the 2021 Tour, Cavendish’s desire to claim the outright stage win record spurred him to continue competing.
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Overcoming setbacks including injuries and personal challenges, he returned with determination, winning four stages in 2021 after rejoining the Quick Step team.
Following a brief absence from the 2022 Tour and uncertain contract status, Cavendish joined Astana Qazaqstan in 2023, only to have his race cut short due to injury just as he neared history last year.
In Saint Vulbas, Cavendish’s perseverance paid off as he sprinted to victory, cementing his legacy as the Tour’s greatest sprinter and stage winner.
Race director Christian Prudhomme hailed Cavendish’s achievement, describing it as a “wonderful story” that brought smiles even to Eddy Merckx, acknowledging Cavendish’s place among cycling’s elite.
With 165 career victories to his name, Cavendish’s record-breaking moment in Saint Vulbas marks a pinnacle in his storied Tour de France career, which began with his first stage win in 2008.
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