Mark Cavendish 'happy' with Tour de France showing - 'We did what we set out to achieve'
Updated 17/07/2024 at 08:12 GMT+1
Mark Cavendish was not too downbeat despite proving unable to add a 36th Tour de France stage victory to his CV. The Manxman came 17th on what is likely to be the final sprint finish of the 2024 race. That means Cavendish's chances of winning another stage are unlikely, but he insists it has been a 'successful' year after breaking Eddy Merckx long-standing record.
Cycling - Tour de France - Stage 16 - Highlights short ENG
Video credit: TNT Sports
He may have missed out on a record-extending 36th stage win at the Tour de France, but Mark Cavendish insists he is "happy" with how the 2024 edition of the race has panned out for him.
The Manx Missile was aiming for victory once more at Nîmes’ Boulevard Allende, a venue where he had crossed the finish line first way back in 2008.
But Stage 16 did not prove as successful this time around, as Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) eased to victory.
Cavendish, on the other hand, could only come in 17th, but that has done nothing to taint what has already been a history-making event.
“I’m happy,” he said. “We did what we set out to achieve here at this Tour de France. We did it early on, so we’re happy.
"It’s been successful. I think anything on top of the fifth stage would have been a bonus for us, so we tried.
- How to watch Stage 17 of the Tour de France on Wednesday - Game on for green jersey
- Philipsen reignites green jersey battle with Stage 16 win as Girmay crashes
- Vingegaard admits boos are 'not so nice' as Pogacar urges fans to stop
"We were pretty well positioned coming into the final. A lot of teams had it together today and you could really see that.
"It’s just that some of those roundabouts were in the wrong place at the wrong time, and when you lose momentum, that’s it. Some guys get through and there are obviously other guys who don’t."
Cavendish, 39, surpassed Eddy Merckx's 34 stage wins earlier this month following a superb sprint finish in Saint Vulbas.
This is likely to be his last shot at the Tour de France, having previously postponed his retirement to take part this year.
There are five stages of the race remaining, before the conclusion from Monaco to Nice on Sunday, July 21.
None of those are expected to contain a sprint finish though, so this was almost certainly Cavendish's last shot at a stage victory.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/07/03/3997470-81125113-2560-1440.jpg)
Cavendish's record-breaking win 'one of the greatest moments in sporting history'
Video credit: TNT Sports
He remains determined to put on a show over the remaining five days of racing, starting with Stage 18 in the mountains from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to SuperDévoluy.
“As much as you can in the Alps-Maritimes, you know,” he added. “It’s hard around there. I’ve trained a fair bit around there.
"But you know, we ride as a unit, and we’ll try to get through. It’s just about riding the rest of the kilometres there and trying to do it within a certain time of the leaders.
Stream the Tour de France live on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement