“I’m not going to lie, I cried” – the harsh fate of record-chaser Mark Cavendish drew dark minds in the Tour de France

Cavendish’s team wants to offer his injured kirityki the opportunity to compete in next year’s all-around.

Sprint Cannon Mark Cavendish the record chase in the Tour de France ended on Saturday with a crash on the asphalt surface. The 38-year-old Brit was involved in a crash on the eighth stage, broke his collarbone and had to leave the race.

Cavendish, who is probably driving his last season, was aiming for a record 35th stage victory in France. It would have elevated him past the legend of the sport Eddie Mercx number one of all time.

There was a good chance for the record, because in the previous stage, the Astana rider Cavendish sprinted to the top on the final straight and was close to the victory in the last meters, until already taking three stage wins in this year’s race Jasper Philipsen got over at the last minute.

Cavendish’s long-time co-driver and current Astana sprint coach Mark Renshaw was broken by grief.

– I’m not going to lie, I cried. The whole team is hurting, because they worked hard for this. Who would have thought in January that Cavendish would be here, finish second and the next day it would be like this, Renshaw said.

Director of the Tour de France organization Christian Prudhomme he was also below at the end of the stage.

– This is an emotional day. He was really sad after the fall. He is the best sprinter in Tour history and wanted to take his 35th stage win. On Friday we thought for a couple of seconds that he was going to do it and today it’s all over. The whole tour of France is sad.

The Dane from the Trek team took the win on Saturday’s stage in the final stretch Mads Pedersen. The day’s number one said after the race that it was a pleasure to compete with Cavendish.

– We have always had a good relationship in the main group. It is very sad that a legend like him has to leave the race like this. I hope I will be as successful in the final race so I can honor the top name in cycling, said Pedersen.

The Dane from Jumbo-Visma continues to lead the overall race Jonas Vingegaardwho leads the UAE Slovenian Tadej Pogacaria in 25 seconds.

– I feel sorry for Mark. He’s a really nice guy. I would have liked to see him win the 35th stage and take the record outright, Vingegaard said.

Cavendish announced in the spring that he will retire this season. Astana announced after the crashthat it wants to offer Cavendish the opportunity to compete in the Tour next year as well.