What happened to Mark Cavendish? Find out what happened to British cyclist Mark Cavendish at the Tour de France and learn more about his stage 8 crash, broken collarbone and ending his pursuit of the career record for most stage wins.
Who is Mark Cavendish?
Mark Cavendish, born May 21, 1985, is a very successful British road cyclist from the Isle of Man. He is known for his sprinting abilities and is considered one of the greatest road sprinters in the history of the sport. Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, even called Cavendish “the greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour and of cycling”.
Cavendish began his career as a track cyclist, excelling in disciplines such as madison, points racing and scratch racing. He has achieved notable victories, including gold medals at the 2005 and 2008 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, as well as a gold medal in the scratch race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Turning his focus to road cycling, Cavendish turned pro in 2005 and quickly made an impact. In his debut professional season, he achieved an impressive eleven victories. However, success at the Tour de France really defined his career. Cavendish triumphed in 34 stages of the Tour de France, equaling the legendary Eddy Merckx for the number of stage victories in the history of the race.
His achievements go beyond the Tour de France. Cavendish also claimed victories in all three Grand Tours, including the Vuelta a España, Tour de France and Giro d’Italia. Namely, he won the prestigious men’s road race at the 2011 UCI Road World Championship, becoming only the second British rider to achieve that feat.
During his career, Cavendish experienced ups and downs. In 2012, he became the first cyclist to win the final stage on the Champs-Élysées in the Tour de France four years in a row. However, he has also faced setbacks, such as a crash with Peter Sagan at the 2017 Tour de France that forced him to retire from the race.
Cavendish’s resilience and determination are evident in his comebacks. He overcame a diagnosis of Epstein-Barr virus in 2018 and returned to the Tour de France in 2021, where he secured an impressive four stage wins, equaling the record for the most stage wins overall.
His contribution to British cycling has not gone unnoticed. In recognition of his achievements, Cavendish was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honors in 2011. He was also awarded the prestigious BBC Sports Person of the Year Award in 2011.
Mark Cavendish’s career is proof of his exceptional talent, perseverance and significant contribution to the sport of cycling. His legacy as one of the greatest sprinters of all time is firmly established, and he remains an inspirational figure for both aspiring and professional cyclists.
What happened to Mark Cavendish?
Mark Cavendish, the famous British cyclist, had to leave the Tour de France on stage 8 due to a crash that resulted in a broken collarbone. The incident occurred approximately 60 kilometers from the finish line. Cavendish was involved in a collision with a small group of riders, including Pello Bilbao, and suffered the most serious injuries among them. Live footage showed Cavendish clutching his collarbone in pain, and was subsequently examined by the race doctor.
After the accident, Cavendish was taken to an ambulance and his retirement from the race was confirmed. In the first press release, there was no detailed information about the extent of his injuries. However, later statements from his team, Astana Qazaqstan, revealed that he had broken his right collarbone. In addition, it was discovered that the osteosynthesis screw in his acromioclavicular joint, which had been inserted after a crash during the 2017 Tour de France, had also loosened.
The eighth stage of the Tour de France was expected to favor riders with strong climbing abilities, so Cavendish rode defensively in the main section. Unfortunately, a wheel clash within the group caused an accident, resulting in Cavendish’s retirement from the race.
The team confirmed Cavendish’s retirement on Twitter shortly after he left the scene of the crash. They also mentioned that Cavendish was taken to hospital by ambulance and updates will follow as more information becomes available.
Just one day before the crash, Cavendish narrowly missed out on securing a record 35th stage win on stage 7. He was overtaken by Jasper Philipsen who also suffered a mechanical problem during the race. Despite the disappointment, Cavendish showed incredible speed during the sprint, briefly raising hopes of surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France stage wins record.
Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, expressed his admiration for Cavendish and acknowledged the emotional impact of the situation. Prudhomme called Cavendish the greatest sprinter in the history of the race and praised his achievements. He assured Cavendish that he would always be welcome at the Tour, with or without a bike, emphasizing the respect the cyclist deserved.
Cavendish’s departure from the Tour de France on the 8th stage unfortunately ends his career as a sprinter. He had previously announced that this would be his final season, leaving fans around the world eager to witness his final Tour de France and potentially witness him win the final stage. Consequently, his withdrawal from the race was disappointing for both his team and fans around the world.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuTwGnRoR08/?hl=en
Mark Cavendish’s injury
Mark Cavendish suffered an injury during the Tour de France that forced him to withdraw from the race. The injury occurred on stage 8 when Cavendish was involved in a collision with other riders, including Pella Bilbao. The accident happened approximately 60 kilometers from the finish line, and Cavendish appeared to be the most seriously injured.
Cavendish’s injury was later revealed to be a broken collarbone. This type of injury can be painful and debilitating, especially for cyclists who rely heavily on upper body strength and stability. In addition to the clavicle fracture, it was discovered that an osteosynthesis screw in the acromioclavicular joint, which had been inserted after a previous accident during the 2017 Tour de France, had loosened.
A broken collarbone is a common injury among cyclists, and is often the result of falls or high-impact crashes. It can significantly affect a driver’s ability to continue racing, as the collarbone plays a key role in stabilizing the shoulder and arm. The injury usually requires medical attention, including evaluation by the race doctor and possible treatment such as immobilization or surgery, depending on the severity.
In Cavendish’s case, the extent of his injuries forced him to abandon the Tour de France. This decision was made to prioritize his recovery and provide him with the necessary medical care. Leaving the race was undoubtedly a disappointing outcome for Cavendish, as he had hoped to finish his career on a high with a strong performance at one of the world’s most prestigious cycling events.
The injury also marks a setback for Cavendish, who has experienced a resurgence in recent years after a period of relative decline. He enjoyed a successful season, including an impressive performance at the Giro d’Italia. Cavendish’s presence at the Tour de France caused excitement among fans, as they eagerly awaited to witness his sprinting prowess and potential to break Eddy Merckx’s record for most stage wins in Tour de France history.
However, injuries are an unfortunate reality in professional cycling, and riders often face challenges and setbacks along the way. Cavendish’s injury serves as a reminder of the physical risks involved in the sport and the unpredictable nature of competitive racing.
Despite the disappointment of his injury and withdrawal from the Tour de France, Cavendish’s legacy as one of the greatest sprinters in cycling history remains intact. His many achievements, including his impressive stage wins and his impact on the sport, cemented his status as one of the most prominent figures in professional cycling.
How did Cavendish crash?
Mark Cavendish crashed during stage 8 of the Tour de France after an incident in which his wheel came into contact with the wheel of another rider in the peloton. The accident happened after 61 kilometers of the remaining race. As a result of the collision, Cavendish fell to the ground and injured his right shoulder. Witnesses reported that he was seen clutching his shoulder in pain after hitting the asphalt.
Medical staff quickly assisted Cavendish and helped him off the road. He was then taken to an ambulance for further evaluation and treatment. A later confirmation from his team, Astana Qazaqstan, revealed that Cavendish had suffered a broken collarbone in the crash. In addition, it was reported that the screw from the previous surgery had loosened due to the impact.
The accident was a significant blow to Cavendish’s aspirations of a record 35th stage win at the Tour de France. Despite being level with Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx on 34 stage wins before the incident, Cavendish insisted the pursuit of the record was not his primary focus.
Before the crash, Cavendish was close to securing a fairytale win on stage 7. However, a mechanical problem during the final moments of the stage resulted in Jasper Philipsen overtaking him and denying him the win. Cavendish’s crash on stage 8 ultimately dashed his hopes of adding to his outstanding tally of stage wins in the prestigious race.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CuNdDuOIbW6/?hl=hr
Where did Mark Cavendish crash?
Mark Cavendish crashed during the eighth stage of the Tour de France. During the fourth stage of the Tour de France, Mark Cavendish narrowly missed a historic victory in Bordeaux. He finished in second place after being overtaken on the finish line by the Belgian Jasper Philipsen. Cavendish’s chances of securing victory were hampered by a mechanical problem with his gearbox, which affected his performance at key moments of the race.
Mark Cavendish, popularly known as the Manx Missile, has been vocal that this Tour de France will be his last appearance in the race. The 38-year-old rider from Astana and Kazakhstan has enjoyed a very successful career, taking his first stage wins at the Tour in 2008, where he won four stages. Its number increased to 20 by 2011.
In 2021, Cavendish celebrated a remarkable comeback with four stage wins, equaling the record set by Eddy Merckx. During his career, Cavendish won numerous accolades, including the green jersey of the Tour de France, world championships, an Olympic medal and more than 50 Grand Tour victories. In 2011, he received the prestigious Sports Person of the Year award.
Earlier this year Cavendish and his wife Peta Todd experienced a traumatic incident when their home was targeted by robbers. Cavendish and Todd were held at knife point during the ordeal. The attackers stole valuable items, including two expensive wristwatches. Two people who participated in the robbery were subsequently arrested and sentenced to prison terms. Another person allegedly connected to the crime is scheduled to face trial next year.
Disclaimer: The above information is for general information purposes only. All information on the website is provided in good faith, but we make no representations or warranties of any kind, express or implied, as to the accuracy, adequacy, validity, reliability, availability or completeness of any information on the website.
Categories: General
Source: HIS Education