Cavendish set to ride on in 2022

MARK CAVENDISH is expected to hold talks on a new contract for 2022 later this summer after winning two stages of the Tour de France in the opening week.

The 36-year-old from the Isle of Man was a late call-up to Deceuninck-QuickStep’s Tour squad after an injury to Ireland’s Sam Bennett but has capitalised in style, taking his first wins in the race since 2016 to move on to 32 Tour stage victories — two behind Eddy Merckx’s all-time record.

Cavendish has enjoyed a return to form with his old team, and Deceuninck-QuickStep manager Patrick Lefevere revealed contract talks are planned. The sprinter’s return to form has coincided with a falling out between Bennett and the team boss, with last year’s green jersey winner set to leave at the end of the year

‘What if he were to win in the dream scenario on the ChampsElysees in the green jersey for his 35th Tour victory? Mark has another chance to leave the sport on his terms, but the choice is obviously his,’ said Lefevere.

Meanwhile, reigning champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia seized the yellow jersey with a brilliant solo attack on stage eight from Oyonnax to Le Grand Bornand in the Alps, making the Slovenian favourite to retain his title.

Belgian Dylan Teuns won the stage but Pogacar put well over three minutes into his main rivals and with a mountain-top finish today he looks untouchable barring a crash.

He is one minute and 48 seconds ahead of Belgum’s Wout Van Aert, with third-placed Alexey Lutsenko of Kazakhstan over four and a half minutes down on the Slovenian.

Dan Martin is 64th overall, but will hope to get into the breakaway in today’s stage to Tignes.