Mark Cavendish made history at the Tour de France by breaking Eddy Merckx’s record for the most career stage wins with his 35th victory. The 39-year-old sprinter won the fifth stage of the Tour, sprinting to victory ahead of Jasper Philipsen and Alexander Kristoff. Cavendish, who has been racing for sixteen years at the Tour, expressed his constant drive to win and was joined by his children on the podium. Despite crashing and breaking his collarbone last year, Cavendish decided to give it one more shot this year, which paid off.
Unlike Merckx, Cavendish has never won the overall title but has achieved success in sprinting, winning stages at all three Grand Tours and becoming a world champion. He joined Astana for this year’s Tour after his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl expired. Cavendish had a challenging start to the Tour, struggling with stomach and heat issues during the first stage. Pogacar, the current race leader, narrowly avoided a crash on the fifth stage and aims for a rare Giro-Tour double after winning the Tour in 2020 and 2021.
Other riders congratulated Cavendish on his historic achievement, with several stopping to speak with or hug him during the race. Stage 6 of the Tour is expected to be suited for sprinters, while the first individual time trial will take place on Friday. Cavendish’s determination and success in sprinting have solidified his legacy in the cycling world, making him a respected figure among his peers.
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