"Multiple stage wins for Mark Cavendish at this year's Tour de France" predict optimistic Bob Roll & Christian Vande Velde

In the farewell year of his legendary career, there is no secret about what the goal is for Mark Cavendish in 2024. The Manx Missile is searching for what would be a record-breaking 35th Tour de France win and at the recent Tour de Hongrie, Cavendish's hopes were boosted by his second win of the season.

"It was, to my eyes at least, a very impressive win in Hungary against a high-quality field of sprinters," reflected American cycling expert and ex-pro Bob Roll, in conversation with compatriot, Christan Vande Velde on NBC Sports Cycling's podcast. "How sharp his sprint was, how dynamic his pedalling motion, it was very impressive. Seeing it, it was like 'Woah, that is a fantastic sprint!' To imagine he's doing that now, with time to be even further prepared for the Tour de France with his strong leadout team, I'm giving him the edge to go one better than Eddy Merckx. I'm thinking maybe it's multiple stage wins for Mark Cavendish at this year's Tour."

Cavendish beat some quality riders such as the likes of Dylan Groenewegen and Sam Welsford in Hungary. As always at the Tour de France however, the best of the best congregate and as such, it will be tougher again to secure himself a 35th victory. Assessing the 38-year-old's chances, Vande Velde admits he was surprised by Cavendish's choice to skip the Giro d'Italia.

"He loves to put a number on his back. He loves race days, especially at a Grand Tour such as the Giro d'Italia, where he has had so much success in the past," the American, 4th placed finisher in the GC at the 2008 Tour de France explains. "But, having that win takes a ton off his shoulders and a ton off his team's shoulders as well. And he beat Dylan Groenewegen so yeah, it's a big deal."

Do you think Cavendish will be able to take a stage of the Tour de France later this summer? Use the poll down below to cast your vote!