Rome, July 30, 2024 – On paper, after achieving his goal of becoming the all-time record holder for stages won (35) Nasty Tour de France 2024the adventure in professionalism of Mark Cavendish it should be close to the end point. Since (the 3 Julyin the context of Saint Vulbas), in the eyes of the Briton, who in theory has focused the entire current season on breaking the record of Eddy Merckx after a fall a year ago Big Boucle prevented him from pursuing his dream.

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In the past few days Cannonball stood on stage at Herentalsin a criterion that had seen the success of Biniam Girmay: according to the sprinter himselfIsle of Manalmost like a hypothetical transfer between two generations of sprinters. In a different setting than that of Tour de France 2024which would theoretically be the last major event in his career, if not the last ever, Cavendish instead, it has opened up a scenario that seemed unforeseen until a few weeks ago. “It’s very important for me to be back here: I enjoy racing in Belgium and this year I didn’t have the opportunity to do that.” When asked directly about the possible official farewell to cycling at such a dear location, the rider saidAstana Qazaqstan team he had shocked everyone. “I have no idea. I know the one I just finished was my last Tour de France but also that I always enjoy being here with my family to enjoy this fantastic atmosphere. I don’t know what else to say, except that in life you never know what will happen and that during the holidays I have time and opportunity to think about everything.”

In short, there is one first certainty: the history between Cavendish , Big Boucle finished in the time trial Nicewho also remarkably certified the ‘black jersey’, that is to say the achievement of the last place which until the previous stage was the privilege of the teammate David Ballerinione of the many runners of theAstana Qazaqstan team who sacrificed his whole life Tour de France 2024 to guide their captain on dark days, when the fear of running out of time seemed real. Strangely enough, the fear had already become apparent in the first fractions, which in Italyof Cavendish who seemed far, not to say very far, from the form of the golden days. Then the Briton gradually increased his strokes until the winning sprint phase 5also taking advantage of the chaos of the other rivals who had eliminated each other. From that moment on for Cavendish another race has begun and perhaps even another life, both without the pressure dictated by a record that had become a worm. And now? The epic called closed Tour de Francecomplete with awards Niceit is not said that for Cannonball the whole adventure in professionalism takes place just before the credits roll.

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