Cavendish wins stage as Merckx record looms
Valence, France - Mark Cavendish won his third stage on the 2021 Tour de France on Tuesday to move within one of Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 wins on Tuesday, but said he is motivated more by inspiring people to overcome difficulties.
At the end of a flat run from Albertville to Valence, the 36 year old Briton edged Belgians Wout van Aert and Jasper Philipsen over the line to also keep a firm grip on the sprint points green jersey with his 33rd win on the world's greatest bike race.
Cavendish was a surprise late inclusion on Deceuninck's Tour roster and has seized his opportunity, ending a five-year barren patch in the race with wins on stages four, six and now ten.
Known as the 'Manx Missile' Cavendish was teamless in December before being taken in by former mentor Patrick Lefevere at the Belgian team Cavendish calls home, and where he finally put behind him the after effects of a tiring virus.
"I've been blown away by the love and support from around the world," a beaming Cavendish said. "People can be inspired by some kind of comeback if you think things are over, if anyone can use that to get inspired that is the greatest joy for me," said
Cavendish, who had Epstein Barr virus.
Cavendish refuses to discuss the Merckx stage milestone, the
Belgian is remembered as a five-time Tour de France winner.
Pogacar ready to go full gas
The 22 year old defending champion Tadej Pogacar retained the yellow jersey for the overall lead after keeping a low profile ahead of Wednesday's monster double climb of Mont Ventoux with its barren, lunar upper reaches.
"Yeah, I didn't get too involved today, I need to get ready to go full-gas on Mont Ventoux," said the overall leader.
"There's no point me risking everything going for a stage win," said the UAE rider.
Stage ten took the peloton through the magnificent Rhone Valley where the 165 survivors from the original 184 starters appeared relaxed after their rest day .
The race ended minutes before a heavy rainstorm lashed the finish line in Valence, halfway between Lyon and Marseille, that had been on an 'orange alert' in France for bad weather.