Mark Cavendish: I don't take being the fastest sprinter for granted any more
Mark Cavendish knows that pure speed isn't enough to win Tour de France stages these days, but he wins them anyway
Technological advancements and the emergence of a new breed of sprinter means Mark Cavendish can’t rely on simply being the fastest sprinter in the peloton any more, but the Manxman is still finding ways to win at the Tour de France.
Cavendish sped past Marcel Kittel (Etixx-Quick Step) in the final 200m to edge his 29th Tour win, with young Brit Dan McLay came through to take third on the line.
With Kittel leading the new generation of big, powerful sprinters, diminutive riders like Cavendish are having to use more than just raw speed to get over the line first.
“I don’t take [being the fastest] for granted any more,” he said after the stage. “When I started 10 years ago there weren’t any guys putting out 2,000 Watts, there were no aerodynamic bikes, no skinsuits, no aerodynamic helmets and you had to be able to climb as well.
“Now you can go faster as a big, powerful, heavy guy and there’s not really simple biology and physiology [to being a successful sprinter].
Watch: Highlights of the Tour de France stage six
“Cycling’s quite a unique sport in that all different body shapes, sizes and physiologies can race together and you have to make [the most of] what works for you.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The win in Montauban takes the Manxman past Bernard Hinault in the overall wins list and just five victories behind Eddy Merckx’s record.
The 31-year-old, who will head to the Olympic Games with Team GB after the Tour de France, paid tribute to his Dimension Data sports directors for his new lease of life.
“There’s a reason why I’ve had Rolf [Aldag] around me most of my career – he sees things that I even don’t. He’s a guy who will listen to me moan and will do his utmost to sort out any problems that I have,” he said.
“With Rolf and Roger Hammond we’ve got the most formidable couple of directors on the course to make decisions.
“It’s not like I’m just making decisions in the final, we have a plan each day and the race goes pretty much to how those guys say it will, which is testament to them and I’m fortunate to have them on my side.”
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
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Major bike retailer posts profits despite 'downward trend' in cycling industry
Tredz records £1.4m profit after parent company Halfords issues warning
By Tom Davidson Published
-
A self-flying drone that fits in your jersey pocket and captures surprisingly good footage: the HoverAir X1 reviewed
Cycling Weekly put the self-flying camera drone, HoverAir x1, to the test to see if it works for capturing two-wheeled adventures.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Astana go all in on Cavendish in his final season, but will the confidence pay off?
The Kazakh team have bet big on the 38-year-old sprinter. Both they and Cavendish need 2024 to work
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish wins his first race in final season after perfect leadout in Tour Colombia
The Briton fended off the challenge of home rider Fernando Gaviria on stage four of the Tour Colombia
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish forced to settle for third in 2024 season opener in Colombia
Astana Qazaqstan rider says Tour Colombia stage one result ‘best debut race for a few years’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish seeking aerobic gains at altitude before focusing on high intensity work ahead of new season
Astana head coach Vasilis Anastopoulos: ‘Cavendish is currently doing lots of hours in the saddle and only short sessions of more intensive work’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish: Altitude training is essential in order to stay at the top of modern cycling
British sprinter will start 2024 season at Tour Colombia in February and will also include two altitude camps in plan
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish reveals details of first race in 2024
Astana Qazaqstan rider will line up at the Tour Colombia after altitude camp in country
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'in shock' at 'toughest' Tour de France route
Astana Qazaqstan rider will have to tackle "hard" race if he wants to break the stage win record
By Adam Becket Published
-
Incoming Astana performance chief to replicate Quick-Step Mark Cavendish lead-out train
‘I’m very optimistic, I think it’s going to work’ Vasilis Anastopoulos on his new plans for Cavendish ahead of next year’s Tour de France record attempt
By Tom Thewlis Published