Tour de France Cavendish’s request to Pogacar: Don’t take away the record
Stage winner Mark Cavendish wrote Tour history. Photo
© Daniel Cole/AP/dpa
Former world champion Mark Cavendish has left the legendary Eddy Merckx behind with his 35th Tour stage win. His colleagues are delighted.
After his record victory at the Tour de France, veteran star Mark Cavendish had a request for Tadej Pogacar. He shouldn’t take the record away from him so quickly, the 39-year-old sprint king told the exceptional talent in the yellow jersey after the two cycling stars had embraced at the finish. The concern is still unfounded. Pogacar, who won the Galibier stage on Tuesday, currently has twelve victories. In recent years, the Slovenian has not won more than three Tour stages per year. That should give King Cav a few more years to sleep soundly.
With his 35th stage win, Cavendish made history on Wednesday and finally left the legendary Eddy Merckx (34 wins) behind. “Cavendish dethrones Merckx,” wrote the Tour organ “L’Equipe.” Pogacar found it “incredible” and was delighted: “It was very nice to see Mark achieve his 35th victory.”
Cycling stars congratulate
The well-wishers lined up in the inconspicuous little town of Saint-Vulbas. “If there is anyone who deserves this record, then it is him,” said time trial world champion Remco Evenepoel, Merckx’s Belgian compatriot. Wout van Aert was also fascinated. “I watched Mark on TV when I was not yet a professional. I respect him a lot. He is a great champion,” said the nine-time Tour stage winner from Belgium.
Words that touched Cavendish. “This makes me very emotional. We have an incredible group of professional cyclists in 2024. This is the future of our sport. I am proud to be here,” said the former world champion.
But the man from the Isle of Man is not finished yet. “I love this race. I love riding and I love watching it on TV. I will continue to give 100 percent. We will continue to try to win a stage. That is not easy, the Tour is all about survival,” said Cavendish. But no one will take the record away from him any time soon.
dpa
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