Mark Cavendish delays retirement for Tour de France record bid

In a bid to secure his 35th Tour de France stage win and surpass Eddy Merckx as the record holder, Mark Cavendish has received backing from fellow cyclist Geraint Thomas. Cavendish, who postponed his retirement for one last shot at success, will lead Astana Qazaqstan's sprint squad, including Michael Morkov, Cees Bol, and Davide Ballerini. The 39-year-old, recently knighted, aims to make history at the Grand Tour with a strong team supporting him. Thomas, a former yellow jersey winner, expressed confidence in Cavendish's abilities, citing his fearlessness and belief in beating all competitors. The duo, who came up through British Cycling together, share a strong bond and have competed alongside each other in various events. Thomas highlighted the competitiveness of the upcoming race but emphasized the strength and experience of their team. With the Grand Depart set in Florence, Cavendish's first opportunity to surpass Merckx is likely to come on Stage Three from Piacenza to Turin. The sprinter, who has already notched two wins this season, will face tough competition from top sprinters like Jasper Philipsen and rising star Arnaud De Lie. Despite the challenges ahead, Cavendish remains focused and determined to make his mark on the Tour de France. As Cavendish gears up for his final Tour, the cycling world eagerly anticipates his performance and potential record-breaking achievement. With a mix of sprint stages and challenging terrains ahead, Cavendish's quest for victory promises to be a thrilling and closely watched storyline throughout the three-week Grand Tour.