Mark Cavendish on hectic stage 4 finale at the Tour de France: “That was a bloodbath"
CyclingWednesday, 05 July 2023 at 08:42
Mark Cavendish was unable to make history on stage 4 of the 2023 Tour de France. In a chaotic finale to the stage, there were crashes galore with plenty of riders hitting the deck. Cavendish has seen a lot over the years but even he was shocked by the crazy final kilometre.
“That was a bloodbath," the experienced Astana Qazaqstan Team sprinter told Eurosport in a post-stage interview. "Every team had a plan for that final and I'm willing to bet not one of them went right, except Jumbo started those narrow roads at the front."
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The 'Manx Missile's quest for a historic 35th Tour de France stage win goes on with Jasper Philipsen taking the win for the second straight stage. After finishing in 6th place on stage 3 though, a finish of 5th on stage 4 is a minor improvement for the 38-year-old.
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"It was a real mix of riders in the final and I was constantly analyzing who was there and who had teammates with them," Cavendish continued. "Then I saw that Mads Pedersen had Jasper Stuyven with him. He usually starts the sprint early and there was a headwind finish and long straights on a wide road. I thought I'd take advantage of that."
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- grumpy dude on X : @festinaboy
ChillingCyclist29-01-2026 - Yes, the timing of his decision was wrong because Visma couldn't hire another climber to replace him. But beyond details and secondary causes, IMHO, the main reason is he's lost the motivation to continue. He did the very best he could in 2025, winning epically the Giro and winning one stage of the Tour. So why keep going? no more goals.
maria2024202429-01-2026 - Oh here we go more Sherlock Holmes theorys. Let the lad retire and stop hounding him.Icon for holmes is a bit much lol . What has he really won!!!!!!!!! Dodgy teams and team mates come on probably the equivelant of a UK elite rider. I have just retired from UK time trialling scene. Suspect I will not get the press hounding me lol.paultryan200229-01-2026
- Look on the bright side, at least he wasn’t out for a training ride in MinnesotaJezla29-01-2026
- So if I understand right, they both overtook the 2nd amateur on the descent? The video is showing before, after or includes that overtaking?Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- Kangeroos 2 - Cows 0Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- WTF is this fool Denk talking about??? Remco is younger then Pogi? He's a year and a half younger, to be more exact, he's only 16 months younger from Pogi. I find the opinion of Remco, Redbull and other foolish farmers from Belgium fascinating: "If the winter goes perfectly for Remco he will be on Pogacar's level." No, he won't. Pogi will keep on winning again and again. there is not even 1% chance to beat the GOAT 🐐 !!!NikkoNicco29-01-2026
- Maybe, I’m just putting out possibilities in a very light story. Considering both amateurs had ample opportunity to exchange in depth with the media reporter, it seems they didn’t have all that much to say in the way of specifics. And the first rider who seemed so keen on getting his side of the latter part out somehow didn’t find the first part of any public interest. Did they overtake the 2nd amateur at some point? Is that explained/deductable or visible in the video? How long is the video and does it show the crash?Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- Maybe (together with the previous ones this month) just a warning to allow them to consider abandoning any plans? Who promised to deliver a top tier rider?Mistermaumau29-01-2026
- Is that what you see in the video? Then even my opinion of his humbleness was too lenient.Mistermaumau29-01-2026
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🇫🇷 RESULT: @LeTour @markcavendish finishes 5th in Nogaro in stage 3. @LLEONSANCHEZ crashed in the final kilometer and went to hospital for check-up. #TDF2023 #AstanaQazaqstanTeam
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