British cycling legend Mark Cavendis celebrated his second victory in three days in the sixth stage of the Tour de France on Thursday, approaching Belgian excellence Edijs Merks won the most victories in certain stages, but Latvian cyclist Toms Skujiņš from the “Trek-Segafredo” unit took 92nd place.
Now 36-year-old Cavendish (Deceuninck – Quick Step) has 32 wins in this race, two less than Merks. “Please don’t ask me that question,” Cavendish said in response to a question about the record after crossing the finish line.
???? Cav wins again !!!! ????
???? @MarkCavendish wins again !!! ????#TDF2021 pic.twitter.com/6UlVRqj7eb
– Tour de France ™ (@LeTour) July 1, 2021
In the sixth section of the plain, which ran through the Loire Valley, the racing debutant Dutchman Matier van der Pool (Alpecin-Fenix) protected the yellow leader’s shirt in the overall standings, the stage being the first time this year without major incidents. He is eight seconds ahead of fifth-stage Slovenian winner Tadeja Pogachar (UAE), while third-placed Belgian Vouts van Arts (“Jumbo-Visma”) is half a minute behind. Herringbone loses four minutes and 29 seconds to the leader, taking 28th place.
The stage ended in the hometown of actor Gerard Depardier, which Cavendish is well known for after two previous victories in 2008 and 2011. Two days ago, Cavendish shook his head in disbelief after winning the fourth stage, but on Thursday he was elegant and smiling after winning the finish in a sprint at a speed of 70 km / h, following the mark of teammate world champion Gillen Alafilip.
The Isle of Man rider also retained the green shirt of the most active rider, although he was left out of the top three in the intermediate finish sprint, winning Italian Sonia Kolbrelli from the “Bahrain – Victorious” team. Skujiņš finished 92nd in the big group. Friday’s section will be the longest on the tour (249.1 kilometers), including five categorical climbs at the end of the distance.
The “Tour de France” will end on July 18 with a finish in the Champs Elysées. Six days after the final stage of the Tour de France, the cycling competition for the Tokyo Olympic Games will begin, so the multi-day trip has been postponed to a slightly earlier time this year. The Tour de France is taking place for the 108th time. The 21-stage race will only take place on French roads this year, although the start was originally planned in Copenhagen. Seven of the stages will be more convenient for sprinters.
For the fourth year in a row, Skujiņš will start in the ranks of the “Trek-Segafredo” team “Tour de France”, who was crowned the Latvian champion in the first half of June in the group and also in the individual race.
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