Mark Cavendish, the British cyclist, had a dream to win one more stage in the Tour de France and surpass Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 stage victories. However, his hopes were dashed when he crashed and broke his collarbone in the seventh stage of the race. Despite this setback, Cavendish is determined to continue racing and his team, Astana, has agreed to extend his contract for another year.
During the presentation of the Tour de France in Paris, Cavendish was shocked by the challenging route that awaits the riders. He described it as the toughest route he has ever seen and expressed his disbelief at the organizers’ decision to make it even more difficult for sprinters like himself.
Even Jasper Philipsen, who won four stages in this year’s race and currently holds the green jersey, was not thrilled with the route. He questioned whether it would be worth it to continue racing if he had no chance of defending his title next year.
The 2024 Tour de France will also see some changes, as it will finish in Nice instead of Paris and will conclude with a challenging time trial instead of a mass sprint on the Champs-Élysées.
While the sprinters may be disappointed with the route, the climbers and overall contenders are excited about the challenges that lie ahead. Jonas Vingegaard, the winner of the last two editions of the race, expressed his enthusiasm for the demanding third week of the Tour. Tadej Pogačar, the two-time champion, also praised the route and highlighted the importance of being in top form from the start.
Both Vingegaard and Pogačar discussed the two time trials in the race, with Vingegaard hoping they will work in his favor and Pogačar looking forward to the final two days of racing near Monaco, where he resides.
Overall, the presentation of the 2024 Tour de France left the sprinters disappointed but excited the climbers and overall contenders. The challenging route promises an exciting and unpredictable race next year.Mark Cavendish to Continue Racing for Another Year Despite Tour de France Disappointment
Mark Cavendish had a dream in the past season to win one more stage in the Tour de France and surpass Eddy Merckx in the historical records, with whom he currently shares 34 stage victories. He would then retire content and deservedly so.
However, he came closest to achieving this in the seventh stage, where he finished second. The following day, he crashed and had to prematurely withdraw from the Tour with a broken collarbone.
Retirement plans were put on hold, as the 38-year-old Brit still yearns for another historic triumph, and his team Astana will pay him for another year of racing.
During the presentation of the Tour in Paris on Wednesday, Cavendish looked at the screen and couldn’t believe his eyes. “The organizers couldn’t make it any harder for me,” he probably thought.
Although there are eight declared sprint stages in the itinerary, getting to them through the other stages won’t be easy. “This is probably the toughest Tour de France route I have ever seen. It is so difficult that I am honestly a bit shocked,” he confessed to journalists.
Even Jasper Philipsen, who won four stages in this year’s edition and secured the green jersey with a commanding lead, wasn’t thrilled with what he saw.
If the rider from the Alpecin-Deceuninck team were to defend his title next year, he wouldn’t come to Champs-Élysées after a day full of posing for photographers, toasts, and a sprint battle on the famous boulevard.
The Tour will end outside of Paris for the first time next year, in Nice, and it won’t conclude with a festive day and a mass finish, but with a grueling time trial.
“It’s surprising. It seems to me that the last chance for sprinters will be in the 16th stage. And I don’t know if it’s worth continuing until Nice,” Philipsen said. “If I no longer had a chance to win the green jersey, it’s a question of whether it would make sense to stay in the race,” he pondered.
On the other hand, climbers and riders aiming for the overall classification were delighted after the Paris presentation.
“I’m really excited. Especially the third week looks extremely demanding. I think this route will suit me,” said the champion of the last two editions, Jonas Vingegaard.
“I really like the first week. It’s slightly more difficult than in previous years. You have to arrive in perfect form right at the beginning of the Tour,” also highlighted the two-time champion Tadej Pogačar.
Both main rivals also discussed the two time trials that will take place in the seventh and final stages.
“We’ll see if they play in my favor. If I have legs like in the Tour, then definitely. But if I feel like in the time trial at the Vuelta, then no,” Vingegaard reminded of his dominant victory.
What factors contribute to the climbers and overall contenders’ enthusiasm for the challenging stages in the 2024 Tour de France
Stages will be a challenge in itself. Cavendish described the route as the toughest he has ever seen and expressed his disappointment at the organizers’ decision to make it even more difficult for sprinters like himself.
Cavendish is not the only sprinter to voice his concerns. Jasper Philipsen, who won four stages in this year’s race and currently holds the green jersey, questioned whether it would be worth it to continue racing if he had no chance of defending his title next year.
The 2024 Tour de France will see some significant changes, adding to the difficulty for sprinters. The race will finish in Nice instead of Paris and will conclude with a challenging time trial instead of the usual mass sprint on the Champs-Élysées.
While sprinters may be disappointed with the route, the climbers and overall contenders are excited about the challenges that lie ahead. Jonas Vingegaard, the winner of the last two editions, expressed his enthusiasm for the demanding third week of the Tour. Tadej Pogačar, the two-time champion, also praised the route and emphasized the importance of being in top form from the start.
Both Vingegaard and Pogačar discussed the two time trials in the race, with Vingegaard hoping they will work in his favor and Pogačar looking forward to the final two days of racing near Monaco, where he resides.
Overall, the presentation of the 2024 Tour de France left the sprinters disappointed but excited the climbers and overall contenders. The challenging route promises an exciting and unpredictable race next year.
