What Happened to Mark Cavendish? Mark Cavendish Injury
by Aishwarya R | Updated Jul 09, 2023
Who is Mark Cavendish?
Mark Cavendish, born on May 21, 1985, is a highly accomplished British road racing cyclist hailing from the Isle of Man. He is renowned for his sprinting abilities and is considered one of the greatest road sprinters in the history of the sport. Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour de France, has even referred to Cavendish as "the greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour and of cycling."
Cavendish began his career as a track cyclist, excelling in disciplines such as the madison, points race, and scratch race. He achieved notable victories, including gold medals at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2005 and 2008, as well as a gold medal in the scratch race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Turning his focus to road cycling, Cavendish turned professional in 2005 and quickly made an impact. In his debut professional season, he secured an impressive eleven victories. However, it is his success at the Tour de France that has truly defined his career. Cavendish has triumphed in 34 Tour de France stages, putting him on par with the legendary Eddy Merckx for the most stage wins in the history of the race.
His achievements extend beyond the Tour de France. Cavendish has also claimed victories in all three Grand Tours, including the Vuelta a España, the Tour de France, and the Giro d'Italia. Notably, he won the prestigious Men's road race at the 2011 UCI Road World Championships, becoming only the second male British rider to achieve this feat.
Throughout his career, Cavendish has experienced highs and lows. In 2012, he became the first cyclist to win the final stage on the Champs-Élysées in the Tour de France for four consecutive years. However, he also faced setbacks, such as a crash with Peter Sagan in the 2017 Tour de France that forced him to withdraw from the race.
Cavendish's resilience and determination have been evident in his comebacks. He overcame a diagnosis of Epstein–Barr virus in 2018 and returned to the Tour de France in 2021, where he secured an impressive four stage wins, equalling the record for the most overall stage victories.
His contributions to British Cycling have not gone unnoticed. In recognition of his achievements, Cavendish was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours. He was also awarded the prestigious 2011 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Mark Cavendish's career is a testament to his exceptional talent, tenacity, and significant contributions to the sport of cycling. His legacy as one of the greatest sprinters of all time is firmly established, and he continues to be an inspirational figure to both aspiring and professional cyclists alike.
What Happened to Mark Cavendish?
Mark Cavendish, a renowned British cyclist, had to abandon the Tour de France on stage 8 due to a crash that resulted in a broken collarbone. The incident occurred approximately 60 kilometers from the finish line. Cavendish was involved in a collision with a small group of riders, including Pello Bilbao, and sustained the most severe injuries among them. Live broadcast footage showed Cavendish clutching his collarbone in pain, and he was subsequently evaluated by the race doctor.
Following the crash, Cavendish was taken to an ambulance, and his withdrawal from the race was confirmed. The initial announcement did not provide detailed information about the extent of his injuries. However, later statements from his team, Astana Qazaqstan, revealed that he had broken his right collarbone. Additionally, it was disclosed that an osteosynthesis screw in his acromioclavicular joint, which had been inserted following a crash during the 2017 Tour de France, had also become loose.
Stage 8 of the Tour de France was expected to favor riders with strong climbing abilities, so Cavendish had been riding defensively in the peloton. Unfortunately, a clash of wheels within the group caused the crash, resulting in Cavendish's abandonment of the race.
The team confirmed Cavendish's withdrawal on Twitter soon after he left the scene of the crash. They also mentioned that Cavendish had been transported to the hospital by ambulance, with updates to follow once more information became available.
Just one day prior to the crash, Cavendish narrowly missed securing a record-breaking 35th stage win on stage 7. He was outsprinted by Jasper Philipsen while also encountering a mechanical issue during the race. Despite the disappointment, Cavendish displayed remarkable speed during the sprint, briefly raising hopes of surpassing the legendary Eddy Merckx's record for Tour de France stage victories.
Christian Prudhomme, the director of the Tour de France, expressed his admiration for Cavendish and acknowledged the emotional impact of the situation. Prudhomme referred to Cavendish as the greatest sprinter in the history of the race and praised his achievements. He assured Cavendish that he would always be welcome at the Tour, with or without his bike, emphasizing the respect the cyclist had earned.
Cavendish's departure from the Tour de France on stage 8 brings an unfortunate end to his career as a sprinter. He had previously announced that this would be his final season, making fans around the world eager to witness his last Tour de France and potentially witness him clinching a final stage victory. Consequently, his abandonment of the race was disappointing for both his team and supporters worldwide.
Mark Cavendish Injury
Mark Cavendish suffered an injury during the Tour de France that forced him to abandon the race. The injury occurred on stage 8 when Cavendish was involved in a crash with other riders, including Pello Bilbao. The crash took place approximately 60 kilometers from the finish line, and Cavendish visibly appeared to be the most seriously hurt.
The specific nature of Cavendish's injury was later revealed to be a broken collarbone. This type of injury can be painful and debilitating, especially for a cyclist who relies heavily on upper body strength and stability. In addition to the collarbone fracture, it was disclosed that an osteosynthesis screw in his acromioclavicular joint, which had been inserted following a previous crash during the 2017 Tour de France, had also become loose.
Breaking the collarbone is a common injury among cyclists, often resulting from falls or high-impact crashes. It can significantly impact a rider's ability to continue racing, as the collarbone plays a crucial role in stabilizing the shoulder and arm. The injury typically requires medical attention, including evaluation by a race doctor and possible treatment such as immobilization or surgery, depending on the severity.
In Cavendish's case, the extent of his injuries forced him to abandon the Tour de France. This decision was made to prioritize his recovery and ensure he receives the necessary medical care. Leaving the race was undoubtedly a disappointing outcome for Cavendish, as he had hoped to finish his career on a high note with a strong performance in one of the world's most prestigious cycling events.
The injury also marks a setback for Cavendish, who had experienced a resurgence in recent years after a period of relative decline. He had been enjoying a successful season, including an impressive performance at the Giro d'Italia. Cavendish's presence in the Tour de France generated excitement among fans, as they eagerly anticipated witnessing his sprinting prowess and the potential for him to break Eddy Merckx's record for the most stage wins in Tour de France history.
However, injuries are an unfortunate reality in professional cycling, and riders often face challenges and setbacks along the way. Cavendish's injury serves as a reminder of the physical risks involved in the sport and the unpredictable nature of competitive racing.
Despite the disappointment of his injury and withdrawal from the Tour de France, Cavendish's legacy as one of the greatest sprinters in cycling history remains intact. His numerous achievements, including his impressive stage wins and his impact on the sport, have solidified his status as one of the most prominent figures in professional cycling.
How did Cavendish Crash?
Mark Cavendish crashed during Stage 8 of the Tour de France after an incident where his wheel made contact with another rider's wheel in the peloton. The crash occurred with 61 kilometers remaining in the race. As a result of the collision, Cavendish fell to the ground and injured his right shoulder. Witnesses reported that he was seen clutching his shoulder in pain after hitting the tarmac.
Medical personnel quickly attended to Cavendish and assisted him off the road. He was then taken to an ambulance for further evaluation and treatment. Later confirmation from his team, Astana Qazaqstan, revealed that Cavendish had sustained a broken collarbone in the crash. Additionally, it was reported that a screw from a previous surgery had come loose due to the impact.
The crash was a significant blow to Cavendish's aspirations of achieving a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour de France. Despite being tied with Belgian cycling legend Eddy Merckx on 34 stage wins before the incident, Cavendish had maintained that the pursuit of the record was not his primary focus.
Prior to the crash, Cavendish had come close to securing a fairytale win on Stage 7. However, a mechanical issue during the final moments of the stage resulted in Jasper Philipsen overtaking him and denying him the victory. Cavendish's crash in Stage 8 ultimately dashed his hopes of adding to his remarkable tally of stage wins in the prestigious race.
Where did Mark Cavendish Crash?
Mark Cavendish crashed during the eighth stage of the Tour de France. During the fourth stage of the Tour de France, Mark Cavendish narrowly missed a historic victory in Bordeaux. He finished in second place after being overtaken by Belgium's Jasper Philipsen at the finish line. Cavendish's chances of securing the win were hampered by a mechanical problem with his gears, which affected his performance in the crucial moments of the race.
Mark Cavendish, popularly known as the Manx Missile, has been vocal about this Tour de France being his final appearance in the race. The 38-year-old rider from Astana-Qazaqstan has enjoyed a highly successful career, earning his first Tour stage victories in 2008, where he won four stages. His tally increased to 20 by 2011.
In 2021, Cavendish celebrated a remarkable comeback by clinching four stage victories, equaling the record set by Eddy Merckx. Throughout his career, Cavendish has achieved numerous accolades, including the Tour de France green jersey, world championships, an Olympic medal, and over 50 Grand Tour stage wins. In 2011, he was honored with the prestigious Sports Personality of the Year award.
Earlier this year, Cavendish and his wife Peta Todd experienced a traumatic incident when their home was targeted by robbers. Cavendish and Todd were held at knifepoint during the ordeal. The assailants stole valuable items, including two expensive watches. Two individuals involved in the robbery were subsequently apprehended and received jail sentences. Another individual allegedly connected to the crime is set to face trial in the coming year.
What Happened to Mark Cavendish - FAQs
Mark Cavendish's crash in the Tour de France was caused by a clash of wheels within the peloton. The incident occurred approximately 60 kilometers from the finish line during stage 8 of the race.
Mark Cavendish suffered a broken collarbone as a result of the crash. Additionally, a previously inserted osteosynthesis screw in his acromioclavicular joint had become loose.
No, Mark Cavendish was unable to continue the race following the crash. He was taken to an ambulance and his abandonment from the Tour de France was confirmed.
Before his crash, Mark Cavendish was tied with Eddy Merckx for the record of most Tour de France stage wins at 34 victories. He narrowly missed a record-breaking 35th win on stage 7, where he finished second.
Yes, Mark Cavendish had announced that this season would be his last as a professional cyclist. His participation in the Tour de France marked his final appearance in the race, making his abandonment on stage 8 a disappointing end to his career as a sprinter.