Watch: Mark Cavendish tips his helmet to Tom Simpson as he battles Mont Ventoux
British sprinter Cavendish is in the fight to stay in the Tour de France on the mountain stage
Video footage from the slopes of Mont Ventoux shows Mark Cavendish paying tribute to the late Tom Simpson.
Simpson was a pioneering rider, becoming the first Brit to ever wear the yellow jersey in the Tour de France and the first British world champion, before his untimely death on Mont Ventoux during the 1967 Tour.
Since Simpsons death, it has became a tradition for British riders to pay tribute to the historic figure when passing his memorial, near the summit of the ‘Giant of Provence.’
Cavendish made his own personal tribute to Simpson while ascending Mont Ventoux on stage 11 of the 2021, during the first of two laps over the iconic climb.
British sprinter Cavendish (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) was in his own battle on stage 11, as he fought to make it through the stage inside the time cut, in the hopes of keeping his green jersey for another day and competing in another sprint stage later in the race.
Video footage from the side of the mountain, captured by Cycling Weekly, showed Cavendish in green, surrounded by his team-mates, removing his helmet as he passed the Simpson memorial on the way to the summit.
Peter Sagan (Bora-Hansgrohe) also nodded his head to the monument on the way past.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Simpson’s death is deeply etched into the history of cycling and the history of Mont Ventoux, after the Durham-born rider collapsed and died during the ascent of Ventoux on stage 13 of the 1967 Tour.
A post-mortem examination found that Simpson, 29 years old at the time of his death, had a mixture of amphetamines and alcohol in his system.
>>> How do Tour de France time cuts work?
Cavendish has his own place in cycling history, becoming the second ever British world champion after Simpson and winning 33 stages of the Tour de France so far, just one shy of the record held by Eddy Merckx.
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.
-
Giant files lawsuit and recruits top Stages Cycling staff as power meter brand closes down
Giant filed a suit against Stages in February and four team members left the latter to join Giant
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan Published
-
Overachiever: Cameron Wurf competed in the Amstel Gold, La Flèche Wallonne and an Ironman, all in just eight days
Cameron Wurf is both a member of Team Ineos Grenadiers and an accomplished professional long course triathlete who has racked up numerous World Tour and Ironman race finishes across his career.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Wout van Aert back on drop bars as he says he’s 'almost professional again' in Strava post
Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard leaves hospital after Itzulia Basque Country horror crash
Danish rider underwent surgery to repair broken collarbone; too early to know whether Tour de France return will be possible
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Will the Tour de France be won by the last man standing?
With Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič hitting the deck at Itzulia Basque Country, all three now face battle to get their seasons back on track
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock unable to bear weight on right leg after Itzulia Basque Country crash
British rider crashed during recon of opening stage time trial last weekend and injured his right hip
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish to miss Scheldeprijs as illness continues to affect schedule
Cavendish will ride Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye later this month, Astana Qazaqstan confirms
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mathieu van der Poel not intimidated by Tadej Pogačar’s form ahead of Milan-San Remo clash
Dutchman starts his 2024 road season at Italian Monument on Saturday
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I pulled it off and turned everything around' - Brandon McNulty on the ride that changed him
US star grabbed his first ever Grand Tour win at last year’s Giro d’Italia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Matteo Jorgenson, Visma-Lease a Bike’s new star, continues to impress at Paris-Nice
The American could step into the leaders yellow jersey on Tuesday evening after stage three’s team time trial in Auxerre
By Tom Thewlis Published