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Post by Shireblogger on Jul 4, 2024 9:45:14 GMT 1
British cyclist Mark Cavendish's recent knighthood was well timed. Yesterday he broke the record for the most stage wins in the Tour De France. First held in 1903, the Tour De France is the world's most prestigious and most challenging cycle race. Each edition is split into roughly 21 stages, each lasting for a day. Some of these stages climb mountains, and are the domain of light but strong riders. Some are time trials, raced against the clock, and are dominated by human engines. Some roll through the beautiful French countryside until all 170+ riders arrive in the finishing town together, and compete in a sprint for the finishing line. These races are won by athletes with explosive power, magnificent bravery, and tactical wisdom. Mark Cavendish is a sprinter. And yesterday he won his 35th stage of the Tour De France, 16 years after his first stage win. He is now 39 years old, supposedly far too old to be a sprinter. He has mounted several comebacks from injuries and illnesses over the years. In a highly competitive sport, it was astonishing to see a long queue of his rivals lining up to congratulate him on the finishing line yesterday. His achievements are supreme. And despite cycling being regularly polluted by drug cheats, Cavendish has never come close to a whiff of scandal. To put Cavendish's 35 stage wins into perspective:- - Just four other riders have more than 20 stage wins in the race's 120 year history, and three of them are French. - Only 25 riders have more than 10 stage wins, all but three of whom come from France or a country which borders France. - The next best placed winner of sprints has 22 wins, the last of which came in 1964. - If Cavendish was a country, then he'd sit in 11th place in the all-time list. The only nations above him which don't have a land border with France would be Britain and Australia. Mark Cavendish. Chapeau.  |
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Post by o on Jul 4, 2024 10:49:50 GMT 1
A brilliant achievement!
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Pablo
Member
*With Great Power comes Great Responsibilty*
Posts: 8,449
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Post by Pablo on Jul 4, 2024 15:24:00 GMT 1
He was due to retire after competing last year but crashed out and injured himself.
Amazing achievement not only to break the number of stage wins record but to do it at 39 years old too.
The chain actually came off his bike when he sprinted over the line.
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Post by Ligerswubsme007 on Jul 5, 2024 3:17:11 GMT 1
How he won it still going on well don ever
Dogs kool
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