Cavendish breaks record for most career Tour de France stage wins

British cyclist Mark Cavendish wrote a new chapter in Tour de France history in what is expected to be his last appearance in cycling's biggest race.

The veteran from the Isle of Man broke Eddy Merckx's long-standing record for most career Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old Cavendish sprinted for the win to close out the fifth stage of the Tour, pulling away some 100 meters from the line despite being bunched in. He crossed the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen and then celebrated with teammates.

Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff, who crashed earlier in the stage, finished third. They were given the same time of four hours, eight minutes, 46 seconds.

Sixteen years after his first Tour stage win, Cavendish spoke of his constant hunger for victory.

"I always needed to win one more, more, more," said Cavendish, who was joined by his family on the podium. "It takes a lot to get there every year. I've got incredible people around me."

Two-time champion Tadej Pogacar narrowly avoided a crash and finished nestled in the main pack in 35th place. While Pogacar retained the overall race leader's yellow jersey, the day belonged to Cavendish.

He equaled Merckx's mark of 34 wins during the 2021 Tour and came close to No. 35 in the seventh stage last year when he was narrowly beaten by Philipsen. He crashed a day later and withdrew from the race after breaking his right collarbone.

Merckx, the Belgian considered the most dominant rider in cycling history, won his 34 individual stages on the Tour from 1969-75.

Cavendish's decision to give it one more shot paid off.

"I just wanted to get the run-in to do it. I'm a little bit in disbelief. Astana put a big gamble on this year to make sure we're good at the Tour de France," Cavendish said. "We've done it."

With his 2023 race ending early, Cavendish decided to put off retirement by a year and came back to try again.

He finally made cycling history after winning his first Tour stage back in 2008.

Other riders were happy for Cavendish, with several stopping to speak with or hug him after the 177.4-kilometer (110-mile) leg from Saint-Jean-De-Maurienne to Saint-Vulbas.

Merckx amassed his wins in an era during which his domination was such that he earned the nickname "The Cannibal." Unlike Merckx, one of four riders to win the Tour five times, Cavendish has never won the overall title, or come close.

But his longevity among his fellow Tour sprinters has no equal.

Cavendish won the Tour de France best sprinter's green jersey twice. He also won stages at all three Grand Tours – the others are the Giro d'Italia and Spanish Vuelta – and became a world champion in 2011.

He joined Astana after his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl expired and he was overlooked for the 2022 Tour.

Cavendish had faced a difficult start to this Tour. During the first stage, he appeared to struggle with stomach and heat issues.

"I know how it works, my trainer and everyone around me knows how it is," Cavendish said. "I've done 15 Tours de France. I don't like to have bad days. I don't like to suffer, but I know it's just in the head and to push through it."

Meanwhile, Pogacar has another flat stage to get through safely Thursday, having reclaimed the leader's jersey Tuesday with a brilliant attack near the top of the race's first big mountain pass.

On Wednesday, he was simply relieved to avoid crashing.

"We were in the bunch and then suddenly something came up in the middle from nowhere. The guys in front of me braked and we touched wheels a little bit, but luckily I escaped," he said. "I reacted on instinct and was very lucky."