Eddy Merckx is the best cyclist in history and he will stay that way, says Cavendish after breaking his record

today 21:31
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During this year’s Tour de France, Mark Cavendish spent a long time asking questions about the record, answering evasively as if defending him, and even though he finally caught up with Eddy Merckx, he told everyone not to compare him to the legendary Belgian. After Friday, they both have 34 stage victories, but Merckx has added five overall championships to the world’s most famous cycling races.

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Thirty-six Cavendish at the beginning of the season he didn’t even dream that he would return to the Tour and not about wins and records. After years of sharp performance, however, he returned to the Deceuninck-QuickStep team, where he regained the desire and strength to win and regained his confidence. He came to the Tour as a substitute for the injured Sam Bennett and confirmed his sprinting skills with victories in the 4th, 6th, 10th and 13th stages.

“I can’t even think about that record right now. After 220 km I am completely dead, warm, wind and such finals. I had to reach the bottom of my strength. It’s like I won my first stage. Winning the Tour, I dreamed about it as a kid and I dream about it all the time. I worked hard today, ” he said at the finish of Friday’s stage, which led from Nimes to Carcassonne and measured 219.9 km.

By winning it, Cavendish matched Merckx’s 46-year-old record. He achieved 34 victories during six Tour, collected a maximum of eight stage triumphs in 1970, and last won in 1975. Cavendish collected 34 laurels on nine Tour and the Belgian can still beat this year: “Well, you can’t compare me to him. Eddy Merckx is the best cyclist in history and he will stay that way. “

Mark Cavendish

Source: reuters

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The British sprinter stated that he was checked by the commissioners after some sprints: “I have a problem because my shoulders are narrow and if I lean towards someone, it looks like I’m pushing them out of my head. The commissioners came to see me and we talked about it after the first sprint. ” Although Cavendish defended his sprint manners, he also admitted that in the past he had been aggressive and ruthless in his rides.

“I’m a grown man now, not a 20-year-old boy who wants to fight the world. I’m not going to lie, it happens when you’re young.” he was quoted by the AFP agency. He also commented that he did not have a very good media image in the past: “For many years, I have endured the consequences of being rude, young, and uneducated about how to communicate with the media.”

Cavendish received a lot of congratulations after breaking the record. They were joined by the leader of the overall standings and the defender of the trophy Tadej Pogačar. “I watched him as a little boy, spurt like a rocket. He has all the honor, ” said the 22-year-old Slovenian.