Mark Cavendish eyeing another stage win after making it through final Tour de France mountains
The Manxman beat the time cut to Luz Ardiden and has two sprint opportunities before the end of the race
![Mark Cavendish on stage 18 of the 2021 Tour de France](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HhjzHqKuDjCshirZxQSzSk-415-80.jpg)
Mark Cavendish is on the hunt for one more stage win at the Tour de France 2021 after successfully making it through the final Pyrenean mountain stage on Thursday.
The Manxman finished dead last on stage 18 to the summit finish on Luz Ardiden, surrounded by four of his Deceuninck-Quick-Step team-mates. Most importantly, the 36-year-old finished over six minutes inside the time cut for the stage.
It's been a gruelling Tour for Cavendish despite his four stage victories so far, having been a late call-up to the Belgian squad and not completely prepared for the high mountain passes he'd have to face over the three weeks of the Tour. Week three in the Pyrenees has been especially brutal, with three back-to-back mountain days since the rest day including the summit finishes to Col du Portet and Luz Ardiden on stages 17 and 18. On climbing the Col du Tourmalet, where he was dropped on the early slopes on stage 18, he said: "I’ve done this climb 10 times, and every time I have despised it."
Cavendish will now relish the prospect of two sprint stages in the final three days of the race, the first coming on Friday's 207km stage 19 to Libourne, and the second on Champs-Élyées in Paris on Sunday's concluding stage.
"It could have been a lot easier than it has been…" Cavendish said on his final day in the mountains.
"It was touch and go the whole day. BikeExchange went hard in the climb before the intermediate sprint, and burnt so many matches there. The group was away with many people and myself and Michael Mørkøv got the points ahead of Matthews.
"My stage was done. I’ve done this climb [the Tourmalet] 10 times, and every time I have despised it. I’m grateful my team-mates helped me out. I got a bit emotional because my team-mates help me go through so much in this Tour de France.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I’d like to try to win at least a stage. But I’d like to stay in the bunch for one day at least."
As well as his four stage wins, and the prospect of breaking Eddy Merckx's stage record with another victory, Cavendish is also in pole position to take his second green jersey victory. He now leads the competition by 38 points over Michael Matthews in second, and another stage win should be enough to seal the classification.
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard 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