Cavendish Makes History with Record 35th Tour de France Stage Win

SAINT-VULBAS, France - Mark Cavendish has made history at the Tour de France, breaking a long-standing record and securing his 35th stage win. The veteran Isle of Man sprinter sprinted to victory in the fifth stage of the Tour, surpassing Eddy Merckx's previous record.

On Wednesday, Cavendish crossed the finish line ahead of Jasper Philipsen, celebrating with his teammates after a remarkable sprint some 100 meters from the line. Despite being bunched in, he managed to secure the victory, with Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff finishing third. With a time of 4 hours, 8 minutes, 46 seconds, Cavendish clinched his 35th win, setting a new milestone in Tour de France history.

A Testament to Perseverance

Sixteen years after his first Tour stage win, Cavendish expressed his constant hunger for victory, stating, "I always needed to win one more." He credited the incredible support around him for this monumental achievement and was joined by his children on the podium.

Cavendish's decision to postpone retirement by a year and come back to try again has paid off. His return to the Tour de France after a challenging start has culminated in this historic victory, solidifying his status as one of the most successful sprinters in the race's history.

Resilience and Legacy

Unlike Merckx, who won the Tour five times, Cavendish has never clinched the overall title. However, his longevity among fellow Tour sprinters is unparalleled. He has not only won the Tour de France best sprinter's green jersey twice but has also achieved victories at all three Grand Tours, becoming a world champion in 2011.

Despite facing a difficult start to this year's Tour, Cavendish persevered through stomach and heat issues during the first stage, showcasing his resilience and determination to push through adversity.