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Mark Cavendish claims some rivals are 'riding with Covid' at Tour de France after Michael Morkov withdraws
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Published 11/07/2024 at 14:12 GMT+1
Illness has crept into the peloton at the Tour de France, with Mark Cavendish claiming some of his rivals are continuing to compete with a Covid-19 infection. Cavendish's hopes of another stage win at the Tour suffered a blow on Thursday after Michael Morkov, his leadout extraordinaire at Astana Qazaqstan, was pulled from the race with the virus. Stream the Tour de France live on discovery+.
Cavendish raises concerns over riders competing with Covid after Morkov withdrawal
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Mark Cavendish has claimed there are "riders riding with Covid" at the Tour de France after his Astana Qazaqstan team-mate Michael Morkov withdrew from the race with the virus.
The 'Manx Missile' has already ticked off his primary objective at the Tour by claiming the outright record of stage victories, moving clear of Belgian icon Eddy Merckx after his emotional triumph on Stage 5.
He still has a few more sprint opportunities before the race wraps up in Nice on July 21, but he will have to do without his final leadout man Morkov.
Cavendish praised his team's decision to pull the Dane from the race and suggested that other teams were gambling on the health of everyone in the race by not following suit.
"I'm feeling OK," he told Eurosport ahead of Stage 12.
"I think our team has taken a responsible decision that Michael's not well [and to withdraw him].
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"That protects himself, it protects every other rider and everybody else watching the Tour.
"I know there are riders riding with Covid in the peloton and that can affect everybody. But there's not much you can do about that, is there?"
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Watch every single one of Cavendish's 35 Tour de France wins
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Cavendish formed a formidable alliance with Morkov at Deceuninck Quick-Step in 2021, marking his return to the Tour with four stage wins as he equalled Merckx's then-record haul of 34.
"It's a massive blow," Cavendish added of Morkov's exit.
"Professionally and personally, he's one of my closest friends and obviously, he's a massive part of this team.
"He's a road captain, he's my final leadout man. We've got to adapt but for me, more important than any bike race, is that he's healthy."
Stream the Tour de France live on discovery+
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