Current and old peloton stars revel in Mark Cavendish's Tour de France stage glory
The Deceuninck - Quick Step rider will be aiming to increase his tally later this week
Mark Cavendish’s win on stage four of the Tour de France triggered a huge outpouring of emotion from the man himself and across the peloton.
The Manxman hadn’t a won a stage of the Tour since 2016, but in Fougères on Tuesday afternoon, the now 36-year-old rolled back the years with a convincing sprint win.
It was his 31st victory in the race and he now sits just three shy of Eddy Merckx’s record of 34, and with a probably six stages remaining for the fast men, the Deceuninck – Quick Step rider could feasibly equal and overhaul that tally in the coming two-and-a-half weeks.
For the time being, however, attention is instead focused on the achievement of winning on Tuesday, with Cavendish’s fellow professionals quick to congratulate a rider who raced in his first Tour 14 years ago.
One of his long-term compatriots and former teammate when he rode for Team Sky, Geraint Thomas wrote a lengthy post on his Instagram, confessing that he doubted he'd ever see Cavendish triumph again.
Una publicación compartida de Geraint Thomas (@geraintthomas86)
A photo posted by on
Thomas' current Ineos Grenadiers colleague Michal Kwiatkowski was also elated.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Remember: Lion never sleeps! 🦁LEGEND! 👏🏻 @MarkCavendish#TDF2021 📷 @GettySport pic.twitter.com/ulfuEy6MkyJune 29, 2021
If you have five minutes spare, it's well worth watching Mark Renshaw - Cavendish's trusted lead-out man for so many of his Tour victories - breakdown the sprint. Insight mixed with delight.
Una publicación compartida de Mark Renshaw (@markrenshaw1)
A photo posted by on
Inspired by the success was Chris Froome who is aiming for his own fairytale chapter.
So awesome seeing @MarkCavendish prove the doubters wrong today 🤫😁 #TDF2021June 29, 2021
Robbie McEwen, twice a winner of the Tour de France green jersey, sent his wishes from Australia
Congrats @MarkCavendish - I honestly never expected to see this again…...at least until you were selected for this TdF. Some sliding doors moments for you to be there but you were ready to grab the opportunity. I know how much this means to you. Well done on #31 https://t.co/Joocxg6etJJune 30, 2021
Keeping the theme with the Australians, Michael Matthews was a contender for the win on stage four, but he was more than content to see his rival get the better of him.
Una publicación compartida de Michael Matthews (@bling90)
A photo posted by on
Cycling photographer Jered Gruber is an expert in capturing moments from races, and he did it again with this glorious shot. The caption's not bad, either.
Una publicación compartida de Jered Gruber (@jeredgruber)
A photo posted by on
And, finally, not that there was too much doubt in the sprinter's stakes, but David Millar thought it apt to remind everyone who the greatest of all time really is.
GOAT @MarkCavendish ✨🌟⭐️⚡️June 29, 2021
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early, ensuring riders are 'more prepared than ever'
Registration for the 2025 Unbound Gravel will open on Friday, November 1, 2024, and close two weeks later, on November 15. Lottery winners will be announced on November 21, 2024.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Star triathlete Taylor Knibb to take on world's fastest cyclists in the Olympic time trial
Colorado-based 26-year-old Taylor Knibb will be representing Team USA in both the individual time trial and triathlon at the Paris Olympics.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
'A bigger result than winning': Jonas Vingegaard hails second place at the Tour de France
It turns out second place is not always 'first loser'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Even if I never come back to the Tour de France I will be satisfied': Tadej Pogačar revels in third victory
Three Tour de France wins before turning 26, the Giro-Tour double, the suggestion of a triple crown. Records tumble for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'There will always be doubts... but cycling is the cleanest sport'
Tour de France champion addresses critics, saying it would be "super stupid" to dope
By Adam Becket Published
-
How Tadej Pogačar created history and won the Giro d'Italia-Tour de France double
A journey that was supposedly fraught with risk and uncertainty was anything but for Giro d'Italia and Tour de France victor Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published