Mark Cavendish exited the Tour this Saturday in a way no rider wishes to endure, boarding an ambulance on the route to Limoges hospital. The British sprinter crashed while tucked behind the peloton, injuring his collarbone and forcing an emergency evacuation by ambulance. This marked the final round Cavendish had planned to race before announcing his retirement from professional cycling at the season’s end.
The Isle of Man native had set his sights on surpassing Eddy Merckx with 34 career stage wins at the Tour de France, a milestone he aimed to reach in 2021. Though approached in Bordeaux on Friday, the day ultimately belonged to Jasper Philipsen, who earned his third victory of this edition when the finish line approached with a dramatic sprint finish in the crowd.
A victory at the Giro
On Saturday Cavendish’s fall came in isolation, even with the support of teammates from Astana, including notable rider David de la Cruz. The team did what they could, waiting for him and trying to settle the group, but the bicycle one cannot ride after a crash. Cavendish’s withdrawal from the Kazakh team occurred after he had already endured a tumble on Tuesday, which cost him precious time and momentum in the lead-up to the sprint. The incident also affected fellow riders such as Luisle Sanchez, who had his own misfortune in the same race as he prepared for the sprint. The sequence of events added another chapter to Cavendish’s storied career, marked by perseverance through injury and recovery, a recurring theme for the veteran sprinter.
Depending on the 38-year-old Briton’s decision, this fall could hasten an early departure from professional cycling. The 2023 season, while punctuated by high-profile results, also shaped the narrative around his future prospects. The Giro d’Italia, although not the year’s final chapter, provided Cavendish with moments of sprint success and a stark reminder of how quickly fortunes can shift in elite cycling. The race concluded in Rome with a climactic sprint finish that added another contour to an already crowded career, underscoring Cavendish’s ability to adapt and compete across grand tours despite the mounting challenges that come with age and the sport’s ever-changing demands.