'I never climb off, I had to honour the race': Mark Cavendish's lonely battle against the Tour de France time cut
Cavendish vows to come back stronger next year after Tour de France elimination

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
After missing the time cut by more than half an hour, Mark Cavendish has spoken of his desire to honour the race and finish stage 11 of the Tour de France despite knowing that he was going to be eliminated from the race.
Cavendish rode much of the 108.5km between Albertville and La Rosière with just a team car and the broom wagon for company after telling his team-mates Julien Vermote and Jay Robert Thomson to leave him after descending from the first climb of the Signal de Bisanne.
"We always knew that these stages were going to be hard. As soon as I saw them in October I knew they were going to be tough but we just had to try, and today I tried I was just nowhere near fast enough," Cavendish said at the team hotel after the stage.
"I had Julien [Vermote] and Jay [Robert Thomson] waiting for me on the first climb, but when we got to the bottom of the first descent it was evident that I could only go at my own pace on the climbs so I told them to go on.
"I'm obviously disappointed but that's bike racing. I'm not the first person to be outside the time limit and I won't be the last. I just have to try and come back stronger next year."
With the time limit being set at 31-27 after stage winner Geraint Thomas, and with Cavendish already being more than half an hour down on the leaders with more than half of the stage remaining, the Manxman knew early on that he was going to be eliminated from the race.
He eventually crossed the line 1-05-32 behind Thomas, meaning that he wouldn't have made the time limit even if it had been doubled in length, but said that he never thought of quitting midway through the stage.
"I never climb off. I climbed off as a neo-pro and I said that I'd never do it again," Cavendish continued. It's important to finish, and the finish line will always come. After all the work my team does for me I can't just stop I have to honour that and the race."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
-
Best winter tires for road cycling 2023
The best winter tires for our road bikes are an essential purchase. Here are our picks that find a robust compromise between rolling resistance, weight, and puncture protection
By Stefan Abram Published
-
Ten steps to the perfect amateur 'off-season'
The season of weight training and nutritional debauchery is here
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Mark Cavendish to postpone retirement and ride on with Astana Qazaqstan, reports
British sprinter reported to have reached agreement with current team to continue racing in 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Mark Cavendish Netflix documentary shows why Tour de France return is in doubt
Manxman's route out of depression shows what's really important
By Vern Pitt Published
-
‘A terrible loss’ - Mark Cavendish’s team reacts after sprinter abandons Tour de France
Astana-Qazaqstan riders sad to lose their leader, who crashed out of his final Tour de France on stage eight
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish crashes and abandons Tour de France on stage eight
Astana-Qazaqstan sprinter shown holding his collarbone after coming down on stage eight, so no stage win record
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We don't give any presents' - Jasper Philipsen keeps Mark Cavendish waiting for Tour de France record
Belgian continues sprint dominance, and pays tribute to 'best of all time' Cavendish
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish ‘devastated’ as 35th Tour de France stage win slips through his fingers
Manxman suffers mechanical in Bordeaux as Jasper Philipsen grabs third stage win of the race
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
AS IT HAPPENED: Tour de France stage 7: Mark Cavendish gets another record breaking chance
After two thrillers in the Pyrenees its another day for the sprinters as the race heads to Bordeaux
By James Shrubsall Last updated
-
A brief history of Mark Cavendish and the Tour de France
As the Manxman takes one last lap of France we look back at his history in the race that has defined his career
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published