'We didn't sprint, but we're safe': Mark Cavendish 'lucky to stay upright' in Tour de France stage three crash
Brit held up in first chance to sprint for record-breaking 35th stage win
In the first sprint opportunity at this year's Tour de France, Mark Cavendish went from being on the cusp of history, to being thankful to finish the stage.
The Brit placed 113th on the flat run-in to Turin – won by Intermarché-Wanty's Biniam Girmay – rolling over the line at a canter after he was caught behind a crash inside 4km to go.
At his Astana-Qazaqstan team bus afterwards, throngs of fans gathered to collect Cavendish's autograph. "If you push it closer, I can't sign it," he politely warned one, clutching a Sharpie in his right hand. He then turned to the media to recount his view of the finish.
"I wasn't the only one just lucky to stay upright," Cavendish said, a sense of relief in his voice. "I had too little to see what was going on, so I hear it, and hear people closer, in front of me going [to crash], and you're fully on [the brakes].
"It's not about thinking you're going to hit someone, it's waiting for someone to hit you from behind. So I'm just skidding and waiting to get hit from behind. Luckily we didn't, and we kind of got through."
'Getting through' has been the theme of Cavendish's Tour so far. On the opening day in Florence, he was pictured vomiting in the heat, and ended the stage 39 minutes down. Another hilly day followed, with gradients reaching up to 20% on the San Luca climb in Bologna.
How was Cavendish feeling going into the first sprint day? "I didn't feel bad," he said. "I don't think anybody's legs are feeling good, to be fair. [Tadej] Pogačar, maybe his legs feel good. Everybody else is a little bit tired.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"It was a long day," he continued. "It wasn't easy enough that you could recover, it wasn't hard enough [either]. It was just a little bit uncomfortable all day, but it's ok. I've kept something in the legs, and I'm ready to hit the Alps tomorrow."
"I don't think anyone's seriously hurt [from the crash], which is very, very good news. We didn't sprint, but we're safe. That's the main thing."
Cavendish's fortunes appeared against him earlier in the stage when, inside 90km to go, he stopped at the side of the road to change both of his bike's wheels. "Double puncture," Astana-Qazaqstan DS Stefano Zanini told Cycling Weekly at the finish. Cavendish himself said he has "always been fidgety".
Ahead of this year's Tour, the Brit identified "five or six chances" for the sprinters, as he went in search of a record-breaking 35th stage win.
An Isle of Man flag lay draped over the hoardings with 100m to go in Turin, property of two roadside fans, anxious to witness their fellow islander make history. Would it be first time lucky? Not quite, but optimism rung out in the sprinter's final words. "We keep going," Cavendish said. Stages five and six are likely to be his next chances.
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
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
-
Collapsed lung, concussion and multiple fractures: Fundraiser set up for first ever Tour de France Féminin winner following crash
Marianne Martin crashed earlier in October and is looking to raise $20,000 to help her get back on her feet
By Adam Becket Published
-
Gravel riders - get ready, set, register! A guide to 2025's biggest gravel events and key registration dates
Here are the registration dates for gravel’s biggest events around the globe
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
'I haven’t entirely committed to what I’m doing' - Mark Cavendish refuses to rule out racing more, but will run a marathon next year
The Tour de France stage win record holder says that his plan is to head into cycling management
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tadej Pogačar says blistering Sormano attack was 'planned' after cruising to fourth Il Lombardia title
World Champion ends his season on a high in Italy with 25th victory of the year secured at Italian Monument
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish to conclude professional cycling career in Singapore
Tour de France stage win record holder to bring curtain down on racing career at ASO end of season criteriums in Asia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Alpe d'Huez, Mont Ventoux, and all the route rumours for the 2025 Tour de France
Here's where the peloton may be heading next July
By Tom Davidson Published
-
How Tadej Pogačar created history and claimed cycling's Triple Crown of the Giro-Tour-Worlds
A journey that was supposedly fraught with risk and uncertainty was anything but for Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and World Championships victor Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Pogačar mania takes hold in Canada with 2026 Montréal World Championships on the horizon
Organiser of GP Québec and Montréal gearing up for Worlds returning to North America in 2026
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Simon Yates says he took a pay cut in order to join Visma-Lease a Bike
32-year-old says it was now or never as he gets set to leave Jayco AIUla after eleven years
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tadej Pogačar misses out on GP Québec win on return to WorldTour action
Slovenian finishes seventh in first race back since third Tour de France victory
By Tom Thewlis Published