Lol ain’t no body letting him get a stage win....at least not in a race that matters. Little races mean nothing. He needed to get more stage wins in the TdF and he didn’t. That has to be one of those goals that bugs him because it was within reach.
The Cycling News forum is looking to add some volunteer moderators with Red Rick's recent retirement. If you're interested in helping keep our discussions on track, send a direct message to
In the meanwhile, please use the Report option if you see a post that doesn't fit within the forum rules.
Thanks!
So you're telling me he finished a few minutes behind the peloton?Dropped from the peloton with 17km to go.
Finished.
At least he finished with Bryan Coquard.Dropped from the peloton with 17km to go.
Finished.
what really happened to the manx missle ? How did he lose his sprinting legs ? Can't simply be age ?
what really happened to the manx missle ? How did he lose his sprinting legs ? Can't simply be age ?
Can't tell if there's anyone else to the right of picture, but if that's Cav in the wind, then that's a sure sign that he's switched his focus away from trying to win stages for himself.
The problem is though the mono, injuries, and severe lack of racing days. He loves riding his bike, otherwise he wouldn't do all the training. Being a domestique is fine just a fall from grace so to speak. Breakaway, I don't think he could ever do a Hushovd in his current state. Maybe before the mono and injuries he could have.Can't tell if there's anyone else to the right of picture, but if that's Cav in the wind, then that's a sure sign that he's switched his focus away from trying to win stages for himself.
He's actually a pretty good bike racer, apart from being a sprinter; remember that British champs where he took on 3 Sky riders in a 4 man break on a hilly finishing circuit, and damn near pulled it off. He's just had a very narrow focus on what he does best for a 10+ year career. If he can reinvent himself as a domestique/breakaway rider, more power to him (who on earth is ever going to work in a break where they tow Mark Cavendish to the finish?)
Like a lot of you guys, I'm starting to feel sad for Cav. I'm sure age is catching up with him, along with his mental state (more risk averse due to family and previous crashes). To me, it looks like he's not even trying any more. That's the sad thing about this, he just seems to have lost his will to fight.
I am no fan of Cav, in fact when he was dominating, I really disliked him. He was so cocky, but he did have the goods to back it up. He is really one of the top sprinters of all time, but now he is a shell of his former self. I think he is doing damage to his legacy at this point. It would be sad for people to remember him as a has-been instead of the incredible sprinter that he was. He needs to get out now, while he still has some dignity left. At this rate, the peloton may end up letting him get one last win, like when they put in a special needs kid in a basketball game in the last seconds to score a basket. It's time to move on man...
Objectively top 1 sprinter of all timeObjectively top 2 sprinters of all time, debatably the goat
He's earned the right to ride his bike as much as he wants, collecting as many pay days as any sponsor feels he deserves, without worrying about dignity or his legacy at this point
I actually did my english college paper on why he was the gsoat.Objectively top 1 sprinter of all time
Greates Printer Of All Time?I actually did my english college paper on why he was the gpoat.
Leave me alone, I'm tired lolGreates Printer Of All Time?
Nah but I hope Cav is doing a lot better now, despite the lack of results
I get it man.Leave me alone, I'm tired lol
I mean, that is true. He was that good quality laser printer.I get it man.
He was really printing Grand Tour stage wins back in the day
Purely on results he's the best, but Cipollini was faster than anyone. Kind of like the Pantani of sprinting.Objectively top 2 sprinters of all time, debatably the goat
He's earned the right to ride his bike as much as he wants, collecting as many pay days as any sponsor feels he deserves, without worrying about dignity or his legacy at this point
I would think he's already on a low salary deal with bonuses for wins etc. He might be looking for a similar thing where if he shows form he is on a team that has access to the Tour already.Kudos for his offensive race, and I appreciate the honest emotions.
It's sad that (due to his physique?) he doesn't get results anymore after such a legendary carreer.
I'd grant him a transfer to Hilaire and Circus-Groupe Gobert. On a low-salary deal, trying to refind confidence and fun in smaller races and who knows ...