Tour de France

Mark Cavendish has cycling history within his grasp

- RICHARD MCCLURE

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Britain’s Mark Cavendish has the opportunity to take his place in the road-cycling history books when the 38-year-old – known as the ‘Manx Missile’ – competes in his final Tour de France.

Two years ago, Cavendish recorded his 34th Tour stage win, equalling the record of the legendary Eddy Merckx, but just failed to break it on the final stage in Paris, beaten to the line by Wout van Aert.

Now, the sprinter has a last shot to make the record his own when he races for Astana Qazaqstan Team in his last-ever Tour before retiring from the sport.