In a post-race interview, Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) discussed the last few kilometres of the race and how it felt to not get one last win in the final sprint stage of this Tour de France. “We were in a really good position, but there were just so many roundabouts, just in the wrong position at the wrong time.”

Biniam Girmay (Intermarché–Wanty), currently in the green jersey, went down hard on a roundabout in the final metres, along with several others. Cavendish said, “As long as they’re okay, and everyone comes through safely, someone has to win, and a lot of people have to lose.”

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) took the stage win, and Cav went on to say, “It looked like Alpecin got it pretty much perfect, so congrats to them… you get it right sometimes, and you don’t get it right sometimes. That’s the nature of it.”

When asked how it feels knowing that he’ll probably never sprint in the Tour de France again, Cav said, “We came here, and we did what we set out to achieve here at this Tour de France. So we’re happy, it’s been successful. I’ve said anything on top of the 5th stage would be a bonus for us… and now we try and get to Nice.”

I’ve had success and phenomenal memories from the Tour, from the first to the last stage.

When thinking about the final five days of the Tour and what kind of spirit Cav and his team will take into Nice, he said, “The pressure is off the sprinters. It’s just about riding the kilometres there and trying to do it within a certain time of what the leaders get there in.”

But he did allow for some nostalgia. He thanked everyone for the incredible support before, during, and after every stage. “I’m very fortunate to have such incredible people following and living my career with me for the last, I don’t know, how many years now. I hear everything, and I appreciate everything.”

He then looked at a young fan and said, “You see, like this boy, maybe he’s going to ride the Tour in ten years. Are you going to? Are you going to be a sprinter in a few years?” And then, “Just say yes,” which was met with laughter.

Cav ended by saying, “Since I started the Tour de France, I’ve celebrated riding the Tour. I’ve suffered at the Tour and I’ve shown the Tour the respect it deserves. And I’ve had success and phenomenal memories from the Tour, from the first to the last stage. This is the greatest sporting event in the world every year.”

But he also said he’s looking forward to watching from home and seeing what all the young new kids can do in the coming years.

READ MORE ON: 2024 Tour de France Mark Cavendish Tour de France