Mark Cavendish says he ‘should have reacted faster’ to sprint after Jasper Philipsen in Scheldeprijs 2021
Despite having numbers in the final, Deceuninck - Quick-Step let victory slip through their fingers
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cog7UhuYpKoRKqqCcuLhbQ-415-80.jpg)
Mark Cavendish says he “should have reacted sooner” in the sprint finish of Scheldeprijs 2021, as Jasper Philipsen got the drop on Deceuninck - Quick-Step.
After a brutal day of racing in Belgium, Belgian WorldTour squad Deceuninck looked nailed on to take victory with their sprinter Sam Bennett, but it was Alpecin-Fenix rider Philipsen who denied the pre-race favourite at the line.
Cavendish, who finished in third behind Philipsen and Bennett, said after the race that he should have reacted faster and chased Philipsen himself.
As reported by cycling website Wielerflits, Cavendish said: “It was always the intention to race for Sam.
“We had numbers in the final, but things turned out wrong.
“When Philipsen passed by I stepped aside to let Sam pass, but in retrospect I should have reacted faster by going with Philipsen and sprinting myself. I should have responded better to the situation.”
While the result was a disappointment for Patrick Lefevere’s Deceuninck - Quick-Step squad, the finish was another confidence boost for Cavendish, who took his third podium place of the year and a record-equalling sixth career podium in Scheldeprijs.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Speaking after the finish, Bennett admitted his team were “maybe one rider short in the final.”
Deceuninck sports director Tom Steels added: “It wasn’t an easy race and the first 75 kilometres went really fast, as the peloton travelled at more than 50km/h. We had riders in the first two groups and once it came back together, we took responsibility and Florian [Sénéchal] and Bert [Van Lerberghe] did a tremendous job, making sure it would come down to a sprint. At the end of the day, one rider was faster, so we don’t have any regrets, although we have preferred to take the win."
Cavendish is on a one-year contract with Deceuninck as he chases an elusive sprint victory.
Next up for the Manxman is the Tour of Turkey, alongside Fabio Jakobsen, who will be making his comeback after an awful crash in last year’s Tour of Poland.
Cavendish said: “I feel good and I feel so happy in the team. It’s only that victory I’m still missing. Patrick Lefevere will not rest until I have it. I have to do it especially for him.”
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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Unbound Gravel lottery opens two months early to ensure 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
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-
End of an era: Witnessing Mark Cavendish's last ever Tour de France sprint
The Astana Qazaqstan rider finished 17th in Nîmes in what is almost definitely his last ever sprint at the Tour. Cycling Weekly was there to see it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'upset and angry' after being relegated for 'deviation' on Tour de France stage 12
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider originally finished fifth, before being relegated
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rod Ellingworth 'totally open' to Mark Cavendish making Tour of Britain appearance
'There will always be a place for Mark' says race director after Cavendish’s Tour de France record breaking triumph in Saint-Vulbas
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish says he has 'one' opportunity left to take another Tour de France stage win
The Manxman was left frustrated after finishing 18th on stage 10
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish fined for drafting behind race car at Tour de France
Sprinter receives 200CHF sanction and points deduction after stage six
By Tom Davidson Published