:quality(80)/cdn-kiosk-api.telegraaf.nl/e22f067e-dfc4-11eb-8613-0217670beecd.jpg?fit=%2C&ssl=1 "Tour de France under the spell of record yacht Mark Cavendish: ‘They are going to do everything they can’ | Tour de France")
Stage 12: Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux – Nîmes 159.4 km
sport">Those of the sprinters who have digested the grueling ride over both sides of the Mont Ventoux can go on the hunt for daily success on Thursday. The twelfth stage of the Tour de France will run from Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux to Nîmes, a finish place where there were regular bunch sprints. In 2019 Caleb Ewan won the stage.
sport">The Australian has been home for a long time after a fall. The eyes will mainly be on Mark Cavendish. The 36-year-old Briton already won a stage in Nimes in 2008. That was his fourth stage win that year at the time. With renewed success, it would now also mean his fourth stage victory. Even more appealing is the fact that Cavendish equals a record number of 34 stage victories in the Tour of the Belgian Eddy Merckx with a win.
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Erik Breukink and Michael Boogerd look forward daily to the stage of the day.
Ⓒ THE TELEGRAPH
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sport">But first there are about 160 kilometers to be covered through the open plain in the south of France where the wind has free rein. At half past two, the riders will leave with Slovenian Tadej Pogacar in the yellow jersey. Cavendish, the man in green who can make history around a quarter past five, will be next to him for the start.
sport">,,I think Deceuninck-Quick Step is very interested in allowing Cavendish to equal Merckx’s record. They have by far the strongest sprint train and will certainly do everything they can today,” said Boogerd.
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The profile of the twelfth stage of the Tour de France.
Ⓒ Round
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sport">Johan Cruijff once said: ‘Football is simple, but the hardest thing there is is simple football.’ That quote currently also applies to Deceuninck-Quick Step and Cavendish. “The way they won on Tuesday was almost boring. They just drive very fast, are always well placed and Michael Mørkøv, the last lead-out man, always pushes so hard that no one can get next to Cavendish. It sounds simple, but it is certainly not easy.”
sport">Wout van Aert showed a species a day later (for the umpteenth time) cycling amphibian to be. After his second place in the sprint in Valence behind King Cav he won the tough mountain stage that led the pack twice over Mont Ventoux. It remains to be seen to what extent the Belgian all-rounder of Jumbo-Visma has recovered from his efforts on Wednesday. ,,But he will certainly have ambition, also because many sprinters have already gone home. Think Caleb Ewan, Arnaud Demare and Tim Merlier.”
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Cees Bol (second from right) finished sixth twice this Tour, but was not yet able to participate for the stage victories.
Ⓒ HH/ANP
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sport">According to Boogerd, Cees Bol, the Dutch sprint trump card, has been a bit disappointing so far. The North Hollander of Team DSM did not go further than eighth, sixth (twice) and tenth place. “I expected more from him. He may have suffered too much already, but there are still opportunities ahead of him. Hopefully he will get through it a bit.”
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