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Mark Cavendish has finally broken the Tour de France stage wins record, cementing his status as one of cycling’s all-time greats. The 39-year-old Briton achieved his 35th career victory at Saint Vulbas, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx.
Cavendish, already celebrated as the best sprinter in cycling history, delayed his retirement to pursue this record. His triumph on Wednesday in his 15th Tour de France comes after he matched Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins in 2021.
“Congratulations Mark for this historic performance. A good guy who has beaten my record on the Tour,” Merckx, a five-time Tour winner, wrote on social media.
Cavendish’s journey to this milestone was not easy. Since equalling Merckx’s record, he faced numerous challenges, including a knifepoint robbery, team uncertainties, and a broken collarbone that forced him out of last year’s Tour. Despite these setbacks, Cavendish returned with determination, showcasing his skill and resilience.
“The Tour de France is bigger than cycling. I love it, I love racing the Tour,” Cavendish said, reflecting on his accomplishment. His remarkable career, marked by 165 victories, began with his first Tour de France stage win in 2008 at Châteauroux.
Cavendish’s ability to read a finish and execute devastating accelerations has been key to his success. This, combined with his longevity and adaptability, has made him a formidable presence in the sport. His 35 victories out of 215 completed stages give him an impressive strike rate of nearly one in six.
Former teammates and coaches praised Cavendish’s dedication. Vasilis Anastopoulos, head of performance at Cavendish’s current team, Astana Qazaqstan, said, “He’s amazing. He’s just like a fine wine who gets better and better.”
Peter Kennaugh, a former teammate, added, “What he has achieved is not just going down in cycling history but sporting history. It is incredible. He thrives off people telling him he can’t do it and he’s had that his whole career until this very day.”
Cavendish’s record-breaking win was celebrated by riders and fans alike. Tadej Pogacar, the current race leader, expressed admiration, saying, “Incredible. A 35th victory for Mark. I used to watch him on television and we loved him.”
