Mark Cavendish crashes out of Tour de France, loses likelihood to interrupt stage report

Mark Cavendish began this 12 months’s Tour de France dreaming of changing into its prolific stage winner.

He ended it mid-way by way of stage eight in an ambulance, his race and Tour de France profession over.

The 38-year-old rider from the Isle of Man was already the best sprinter in Tour de France historical past.

No different rider has come near his 34 wins in bunch-sprints — the bear-pit {of professional} biking the place none however the bravest of riders can afford to combine it in shut confines at speeds in extra of 70 kilometres per hour. 

Lengthy-retired Frenchmen André Darrigade and André Leducq are closest to matching him with 22 every.

In addition to successful the inexperienced factors jersey twice, Cavendish has received the enduring closing stage on the Champs-Élysées a report 4 occasions — no different rider has received that almost all well-known of levels greater than twice.

His 4 wins in a row within the Tour’s closing stage was highlighted by successful on the earth champions rainbow jersey, having been led out for the win by yellow jersey winner and long-time pal Bradley Wiggins in 2012.  

Cavendish, in the meantime, has received 34 stage wins between 2008 and 2021, equalling the report of biking’s best ever rider, Eddy Merckx.

He wanted only one extra win to face alone.

That win nearly got here on stage seven, when a mechanical difficulty meant he couldn’t absolutely decide to his dash when bursting into the end at Marseille.

As a substitute, Jasper Philipsen breezed previous the British star to say a third-straight dash win.

“I’d have liked to see him win, like everyone,” Philipsen mentioned after that win.

“For certain he’ll maintain attempting.”

Sadly for Cavendish, his likelihood to interrupt the report won’t ever come.

The top, when it got here, was innocuous.

A contact of wheels in direction of the center of the peloton making a ripple impact that noticed Cavendish hit the deck, instantly grabbing at his helmet and shoulder.

He knew his Tour profession was over, you solely wanted to take a look at the devastation on his face.

Cavendish introduced that he’ll retire on the finish of this season, that means this 14th and closing Tour de France was his final likelihood to interrupt a report that has stood since 1975.

Danish rider Mads Pedersen received a livid uphill dash to say the eighth stage, edging Philipsen and Wout van Aert.

“For me it was a pleasure to have the ability to race with Mark,” Pedersen mentioned on the finish of the stage.

Jonas Vingegaard completed within the pack and stays within the yellow jersey.

Loading