Cavendish makes history with record-breaking Tour de France stage win

Mark Cavendish made cycling history in the Tour de France as he clinched his 35th stage victory, surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx. In an epic sprint finish in Saint Vulbas, the 39-year-old secured the win, raising his arms in jubilation as he crossed the finish line, SSP reported. After a career-threatening crash in 2021, Cavendish's determination to clinch the outright Tour stage record motivated him to extend his career. With this achievement, Cavendish solidifies his status as one of the greatest sprinters of all time.

The British cyclist had jointly held the record with Merckx since winning his 34th stage in 2021. Last year, Cavendish's dream of ending his career on a high note was thwarted by a race-ending crash. Determined not to let his career end there, Cavendish made a remarkable comeback in 2021, winning four stages. This year, he joined Astana Qazaqstan, facing uncertainty about his future. However, his trademark dash to the finish line in Saint Vulbas marked the long-awaited moment of breaking the record.

The triumph brought smiles to everyone's faces, including Eddy Merckx, as Tour race director Christian Prudhomme expressed. Despite doubts from many, Cavendish's persistence paid off, turning this achievement into a captivating tale. The Sprinters' yellow jersey, is the epitome of success in their domain.

Stage five provided Cavendish with the opportunity to add another milestone to his illustrious career. The route, a relatively flat 177.4 km stretch from Saint Jean de Maurienne to Saint Vulbas, offered a respite for overall race contenders. Joined by his Astana Qazaqstan team, Cavendish focused on this stage, which they specifically prepared for.

The peloton refused to allow any significant gaps, and attempts by Clement Russo and Matteo Vercher to break away were quickly nullified as the sprint teams took control. While some riders faced crashes, fortunately, no one suffered serious injuries. Race leader Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey, maintaining his position at the top of the General Classification standings.

As the final kilometers approached, the GC teams positioned their leaders safely for the frantic push to the finish line. Astana Qazaqstan displayed excellent organization, setting the stage for Cavendish's decisive move. With his nerve and intuition intact, yet again, he emerged victorious.

This historic win, his 165th career triumph, solidifies Cavendish's place in Tour de France history, reflecting the love affair that began 16 years ago. Celebrating this momentous achievement, Cavendish's former teammate and friend Geraint Thomas expressed his admiration and joy. The record is now solely his, and Cavendish shows no signs of slowing down.

Stage six beckons the sprinters for another opportunity in a flat 163.5km route from Macon to Dijon. Concluding with an 800m-straight finish, it presents another thrilling race for glory.