Mark Cavendish left frustrated by mechanical at end of Tour de France stage 11
Mark Cavendish was disappointed at the end of stage 11 of the Tour de France, as a broken rear mech prevented him from contesting the race finish
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Mark Cavendish lamented a broken rear mech in the final eight kilometres of stage 11 that prevented him from being able to contest the finish of the race.
The 162.5-kilometre stage from Carcassone to Montpellier had been targeted as a potential fourth win for the Manxman at this year’s Tour, with a bunch sprint predicted. However, his bike collided with another rider in the closing kilometres which put him out of contention as the race reached its climax.
“Shit happens I guess, at least I didn’t get beaten that’s the positive to take out of it. I hit my rear mech on somebody’s wheel – I don’t know if it was my fault, don’t know if it was their fault, it’s irrelevant really,” he said outside the Dimension Data bus after the stage.
“My rear mech stopped working and I don’t know whether the electronic thing came out or the whether [it was] the spring or something, but it wouldn’t go lower than the 15 [sprocket] so you can’t even keep up at 70k an hour.
“With the bunch in pieces there’s no car behind to change my bike, so that’s it.”
Watch: Tour de France 2016 stage 11 highlights
As expected crosswinds split the peloton into pieces, before Peter Sagan attacked with his Tinkoff team-mate Maciej Bodnar with 10km to go. Chris Froome, in the yellow jersey, bridged across with his Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas joining him, and the quartet stayed clear to the line. Sagan took his second stage win at this year’s Tour with Froome finishing behind him.
“I said there would be crosswinds I just didn’t think it [the bunch] would really split up,” Cavendish said of the day’s race. “I thought we were in quite a big bunch, I didn’t realise it was splitting so much behind. At one point I thought I’ll have a breather, went a few lines back, and then I was already in the back.”
Stage 14 on Saturday to Villars-Les-Dombes Parc des Oiseaux is another flat day that is likely to be contested by the sprinters, before the race moves into the Alps in the third week.
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
60% of motorists unaware of Highway Code changes, one year after introduction
Charity Cycling UK has called on the government to raise awareness of the updates
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Neah Evans and Charlie Tanfield take National track titles
Olympians put in strong performances on the first day of competition in Newport
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
Speed Demons of the peloton: The six best sprinters of 2022
We take a look at the standout performers of the fast men and women in the professional scene this year
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
British UCI Continental team makes pitch for Mark Cavendish’s signature
Saint Piran boss Ricci Pascoe says he would gladly provide a short term place for Cavendish, if it helped him to achieve Tour de France dream
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
B&B Hotels, the team that was set to sign Mark Cavendish, collapses
Multiple riders left scrambling to find places on alternative teams after demise of French ProTeam confirmed
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
B&B Hôtels boss: 'Mark Cavendish wants to be with us. I want him to be with us.'
Team's hunt for sponsors intensifies after missing UCI registration deadline
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Time running out for B & B Hotels, the team expected to sign Mark Cavendish
Team still without major sponsors as UCI impose deadline of 22 November for team to complete registration for new season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Movistar quick to quash Mark Cavendish signing report
Italian press speculation over future of sprinter denied by Spanish team
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish: Tour de France 2023 has 'ample opportunities for bunch sprints'
Fast man thinks there might be seven or eight sprint chances, but he has to find a team first
By Adam Becket • Published