Mark Cavendish’s hopes of grabbing at least one stage victory on this season’s Tour de France are now officially vanished after yesterday’s mountain stage “eliminated” the British sprinter. Sadly, he was not able to make the time cut.
The Dimension Data cyclist was able to cross the finish line of the 11th stage at around one hour and 33 minutes after Geraint Thomas, the stage winner.
The time limit was previously set at only 31 minutes and 27 seconds. Way less than the Time Cavendish used to finish the stage.
Sadly, the time spent in the French Alps was a bit too much for the sprinter who has so far accumulated 30 impressive stage wins in 10 Tour de France participations.
?? #TDF2018
? @MarkCavendish finished outside of the time limit today in stage 11.
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up” – Nelson Mandela.#MandelaDay #BeTheLegacy pic.twitter.com/vTufscxO8I
— Team Dimension Data (@TeamDiData) July 18, 2018
Sprinters’ nightmare
However, it seems yesterday’s stage did not only affect Cavendish and his dreams for this season’s Tour.
Along with the sprinter, his Australian teammate Mark Renshaw and also German Marcel Kittel were also eliminated from the Tour. They both crossed the finish line way outside (at around 45 minutes) the time limit that the race jury has set.
.@TeamDiData showed great courage on #MandelaDay today. @sergepauwels flew our colours out front while @MarkCavendish and @markrenshaw rode bravely to finish a gruelling stage, despite finishing outside the time limit.
?: https://t.co/cTj7Fnr0oz pic.twitter.com/uzm8Qi0jDB
— Team Dimension Data (@TeamDiData) July 18, 2018