I never Thought Mark Cavendish could Race like THIS | British National Championships 2022

[@SamHocking]

He obviously races to his strengths as a sprinter, but many don't know he's a pure racer at heart and always races Nationals balls out with exemplary race craft. He just loves racing.

[@Kippcom]

Thanks for restating what Cav said himself

[@SamHocking]

@@Kippcom No problem, I remember watching him race like this as a u23 too, I wish the teams would let him race a bit more like this, but understand the sprint is what they gear the teams up for with him.

[@soulripper31]

Is that why he has zero wins at the Ronde van Vlaanderen, Paris-Roubaix and Gent-Wevelgem?

[@SamHocking]

Why would his team race him in those races as a sprinter when he's target Tour de France stages? Most teams have classics specialists, so you race each rider to their strengths imo.

[@TheSHAD0W93]

@@soulripper31 those are completely different races in the addition of having cobbles

[@colinlittlewood9613]

This was Cav demonstrating his track expertise from a tactical perspective. He knew he would have to close down a lot of the gaps personally but chose which ones to let go impeccably.

[@elliott1346]

Yeah, particularly his omnium experience; the scratch race, points race and elimination race all involve periods of flat out sprinting and periods of rest. He’s also great at whenever he closes a gap he rarely does it fully and forces the rider behind to finalise the close to ensure he doesn’t get countered and they spend some time in he wind too

[@felixwagner3152]

Yeah thats true! He knew what he had to close and where he could rely on others to close it down for him!

[@TD05SSLegacy]

Yes. Like a points race.

[@imjstcl]

It kind of shows why a bunch of sprinters or classics guys end up in the car after racing. They dont mess around with bad tactics.

[@stvnkll]

@@TD05SSLegacy but over 200k!

[@fryuppe]

Masterclass of tactical and positive racing from Cav, and superb presentation from Lanterne Rouge. Cav wrote his name on the win from the very start. That champion's jersey was a two fingered salute to Lefevre. By now, Cav owes him nothing, and should now go elsewhere for a megabuck or two to seal his retirement. I am sure a newly minted rider agent such as Lanterne Rouge would negotiate a spot-on deal. Watch out Israel Premier-Tech, Cav's on his way!

[@Misterterrence]

Lefevre was the reason Cav still races today so a 2 fingered salute ain't necessary. If I was QS I would choose Jakobsen above Cav too. Even tho I love cav as a rider and as the big personality he is. But the lefevere/qs hate for them not selecting cav is blown out of proportion

[@carswift]

He is not going to finger salute anyone. He didn't have a team. People thought he was retiring, then he signed for DQS. Who is going to sign him for big money, he's 37 and he's a sprinter. And if we were in the 2000's we would be a bit suspicious of those who suddenly jump from 200 UCI points in 3 years to 1000 in 6 months. Maybe other teams are not so keen. That's why Padun went to EF.

[@Fetucinee]

Does Lefevere deserve the two-fingered salute? I think not. If not for him I doubt we'd be witnessing Cav's second act. It's easy to forget amidst the victories and smiles now that a year or so ago Cav appeared a spent force, in tears and lamenting his lack of prospects. It's been a boon for both, Cav and Lefevere together again, but that doesn't mean their agendas are exactly aligned.

[@marcfarrelly5944]

I hate Pat but Mark knew he wasn't going for months, basically says at the beginning of the interview. He didn't a phonecall to confirm and the british media blowing it out of proportion. The National Champs were entertaining but nothing there made him worth calling up, No one else is picking him up for big money either.

[@oliverinwards1572]

Once Alaphillipe was confirmed out, Cavendish should’ve been in the team for the Tour. For him to only find out over social media too is absolutely pathetic from Quickstep

[@vladfromfrance]

Great race by Cav and undoubtedly one of the best sprinters on the planet. The problem is, he's on the same team as Jakobsen and I'm sorry but you can''t bring two top sprinters in the same team, and Jakobsen is still more deserving. Also, I don't know why Cav implied he "found out on social media". It always seemed pretty clear Jakobsen was the top pick for Quickstep this year.

[@famousatmidnight15]

@@vladfromfrance yep and there’s like four stages that might finish in a sprint. It’s a very non-sprinters Tour this year. That and the fact that last year everyone crashed out in week 1 leaving Cav literally the only sprinter.

[@11-inch]

@@famousatmidnight15 Cav had already won the worlds and tdf greens when he was at jakobsen's age, what's jakobsen's achievements again? Tour of hongrie? LMFAO

[@Slow.Smooth]

@@11-inch sad how people forget that he is a former world champion. wouldve had two if sagan didnt get him at the line in is wc run

[@parishoffice6769]

@Gone Awry Much as I love Cav, Fabio deserves to go after all that he's been through. He has excellent form and is the future for Quickstep.

[@rancescott]

At 37 and after all his success. Absolute legend shows how much he loves racing

[@kenboe5789]

Never in doubt what a cyclists

[@ylemaitre]

Completely surprised by his performance. I kept wondering when he’d get dropped. Good UK champs this year

[@EngBlanco]

Such a beautiful race from Cav. Terrible decision to leave him out of the tour. The man has a great heart, great form, and you know he wants that record so he'd leave it all out at the tour.

[@plopper_guy53]

100% agree.

[@carswift]

Yes but that can translate to obsession and the goal is to also build Jakobsen's career not to chase Cavendish's own records.

[@laniernelson1019]

The excitement that would be built around him going would have been enormous! Sad they didnt let him go.

[@denverspin]

Politics

[@optical6879]

100% agree, I think he would have won at least 1 sprint stage at this year's tour, so you would bet and gamble on that at least.

[@Ditypo]

In my home town no less! Absolute masterclass from Cav. Very clever riding

[@niibor1]

Hope you had a good day watching and managed to avoid the rain ha

[@karaokekonge]

Cav is CONSTANTLY aero! Always shoulders and head down. Never stretches his arms.. I know he is short, but, no one holds the aero position for 200km - Except Cavendish.. That's why he wins again and again! ..Perfect technique; so he has more power than everybody else, on the last 300meters

[@soulripper31]

Lol, yeah, he's so aero, is that why he sucks at time trials and has zero solo wins in his career?

[@ianism3]

Remco too though

[@ianism3]

@@soulripper31 that's a very different skill set haha. you need very different conditioning for that. how many sprinters are top-end time trialists? the fact that WVA can do both (not to mention climb...) is why he is a once in a generation talent

[@11-inch]

@@soulripper31 lmao you need to watch more races kid, you got a lot more to learn.

[@TheSHAD0W93]

@@soulripper31 he’s won TTs

[@ehyouman]

Th gear he turned in that final 500M was insane

[@RustyRacer]

Gotta be one of his best wins ever. Very smart racing

[@james58018]

One of the best races I've seen this year. Great course, and fantastic analysis as always.

[@duncanmartin2626]

What a great ride. Thanks Lanterne for getting the rights - they should ask for your analysis in exchange - it's the best going! Quickstep leaving the British, French and World champions home this year is kinda crazy, given the team they are taking isn't full of superstars. Apparently Cav and Senechal are their reserves - maybe if someone gets injured/covid then they go.

[@sean7098]

I think it was between Lampaert / Senechal and Cav / Jakobsen and they chose who had been in the best form throughout the year i guess.

[@andrew7taylor]

@@sean7098 It doesn't really matter who was in the best form in January, February, March, April and May, does it? It only matters where they are now. And IMO they left the wrong people at home. Especially with how cycling's business is, I can't believe they're leaving a rider out who could break such a huge record. And they don't take none of the French riders either even though they are all pretty good. I can understand Alaphilippe with his injury, but no Sénéchal nor Cavagna?

[@bonbon3993]

@@andrew7taylor crazy indeed

[@sean7098]

@@andrew7taylor Jakobsen has beaten Ewan and Phillipsen in the Month. Who would you put Senechal and Cavagna instead of?

[@rayanbfeverr]

@@sean7098 Honoré all day

[@dr.merlot1532]

8:20 Its crazy to see Cav going out of the saddle on a climb.

[@markdinnie6503]

What a win by Cav, surely one of his greatest. No armchair ride today, did it all on his own.

[@garlic.naan2]

of course he’s won bigger races but this is more impressive than any bunch sprint win where he is babysat to the line, what a ride

[@savagepro9060]

Thank you Lanterne. To appreciate the actual effort of Cavendish, takes a more extended coverage and narration, than a simple #Shorts video!

[@lukewalker1051]

What is really funny watching the sprint was...Dish wasn't even full gas. He knew they had no chance. He was looking back at the riders as he approached the line. When Mark goes into sprint mode, likely less than 5 cyclists on the planet have a chance.

[@Legionarivss]

Made the list, indeed likely five: Ewan, Merlier, Philipsen, Jakobsen, Demare. Bennett, de Lie on good days. WvA on Champ I still believe to be a fluke. Had Cav been in position he would've won.

[@tugabooga]

@@Legionarivss And Tesson lol jk

[@rokelis9608]

Groenewegen

[@drwhocrazed]

@@Legionarivss I think Wout in a hard course would have the edge over Cav, but yeah, I'd say none more than those 6 probably

[@FEAR_CB]

@EmbodiedDespair Sagan is a legend, but has been missing that top end speed for a while now unfortunately.

[@helloweeny]

Alex Richardson as a solo rider competing with WT riders and beating Ineos riders is absolutely hilarious. Seriously good racer

[@samuele8361]

Now Jackoben will have a lot of pressure on him without Cav at the tour, he needs to win at least 2 stages if he doesn't want to be recognised as a mistake

[@Joeonline26]

Jakobsen has Morkov with him in the tour. That's probably his best hope of getting a couple of stages.

[@m9morgan428]

@@Joeonline26 morkov is the only hope as jakobsen hasn’t got the speed of groenewegen, ewan, bennet and van aert

[@whatwelearned]

@@m9morgan428 I don't like Jacobsen but give over; he's faster than wva

[@juhanisaario]

Can Jackobsen survive until Paris? stages 11 and 12 could be brutal if there's a big fight for the polka dots (break taking big time).

[@Legionarivss]

​@@m9morgan428 I think Jakobsen is quicker than Bennett and easily quicker than WvA. Why do you think Groenewegen is quicker than Jakobsen?

[@danieljournell2903]

You can feel the joy coming off of him in that interview.

[@stevegreene9149]

This was a demonstration like no other of Cav's nous and ability as bike racer. He chased down every move that he needed to chase, left the ones he didn't and ended up perfectly in that group of three and in the best wheel to win. What a champ: pure class! Great video: thanks for your expert analysis Lanterne Rouge 👏👏

[@framedman]

This is why I love cycling but Lafevre isn't a romantic, he just wants wins and having had a habit of letting his best sprinters go, he isn't going to make the same mistake with Jakobsen who is the long term bet but I agree with Wiggo when he said there isn't another team that wouldn't take him. It's great for sponsors, it's great for the sport. Almost wish they could hand him a one man team wildcard, go toe to toe with Jakobsen, see who comes out on top. Cav can beat anyone when he's the perfect lead out. Great vid, Patrick.

[@ianism3]

yeah, nice in theory... but cycling isn't an individual sport. it's extremely rare that sprinters truly go toe-to-toe with each other because leadouts are so important.

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

I'd bet that even Prudhomme desperately wants Cav to be in his Grand Boucle this year, for all of the excitement and anticipation his presence would bring to the sprint stages. ;)

[@mortigard]

Cav has always talked about how fit sprinters are and he showed it today. On top of that, his race-awareness was second to known! He knew where to be and what to do during that whole race. I've always wondered how he would do in a cobble-classic...

[@krempixxx]

he doesnt have that much race-awareness i think ... he stuffed many sprints served on plate where he needed to think a bit ... unless there is too much prepared for him in final sections then it is hard races for him ... here young guys forgot how small he is on bike and how much he is saving in draft but at least they will remember :D :D

[@joecant7147]

@@krempixxx Mark Cavendish doesn't have much race awareness? Ok mate

[@krempixxx]

@@joecant7147 give me some examples of his race awareness where he was complete solo without leadout and no turkish sprints against greipel ... proper WT race with messy sprints to prove me wrong

[@mortigard]

In this race, you can't deny his race awareness throughout the entirety of the race. He marked all the attacks he needed to and conserved enough to with the sprint in the end. As far as past race awareness goes, bunch sprints are a crapshoot between skill, position, aggression, and luck. So yea, he botched a few, but he won a lot too. When he won the world championship, his max wattage was just 1,100 watts. It was race awareness that got him into the position to win though.

[@lechatel]

@@krempixxx Oh dear.

[@Votisx007]

It is a crime that he is not on the Tour de France startlist

[@chrisrussell7419]

@@MattyThomp06 I think its actually sign in on stage 1 🤔

[@tugabooga]

@@chrisrussell7419 Can't be. There's the team presentation before

[@Euu_-tc6hz]

He isn't better than Fabio jakobsen

[@arnoldhau1]

No Jacobsen is a safer bet... It is sad but it makes sense

[@l.d.t.6327]

he is on the list. The reserve list, that is...

[@julianallen6999]

Mark's always raced the Nationals this way. A pure racer who knows what to watch and who to chase. He deserves to go to TdF and make history taking Eddy's stage record, but Patrick and Eddy are friends so....

[@mmmbetter55]

Masterful tactics on Cav's part. He knew what he needed to do- as long as he could keep with the breaks to the end, he would beat them in the final sprint- where it really mattered. I've not always been a huge fan of Cav, but I think he deserves the chance to go to the Tour and beat Merckx' record. It would probably never be beaten

[@denverspin]

Politics

[@davehaygarth3378]

He raced the same in Glasgow Nationals and previously in Lincoln 2015. I love watching him have to do this and lots of it goes back to his track / 6 day experience too. Not just a lead-out merchant.

[@1JOSHEE]

I agree Dave at Lincoln he was superb taking on the Sky lads single handed mile after mile. WOW did I enjoy myself up in Scotland and did you see result of Mike Tarling ( ex County) son Josh in Crit Champs?

[@davehaygarth3378]

@@1JOSHEE Yep keeping a close eye on Josh ... and Fin Tarling. Hot talents !

[@FergusNelson]

I'm surprised the quick step sponsors aren't up in arms about Cav not going to the tour. Imagine the amount of exposure they would get if he won just one stage. Photographs of him winning his 35th stage and becoming the leading stage winner, wearing the sponsors logo, would go down in history, absolutely iconic.

[@rogerpartington9413]

Thanks LR for the amazing analysis. That was an incredible race by Cav.

[@michaelkakanis7275]

In Strade Bianche 2009 just before the San Remo that he won he was on this kind of performance. He was at the front of the race waaaay longer than you would ever expect him to be.

[@rrohret21]

This is so great. He is a true champion. Well deserved. And so sad that he is not going to the tour.

[@cokeology]

What a ride from Cavendish. Also as a side note, Castle Douglas is a great place to feel the influence of the Gulf Stream

[@paddydunne774]

Great that we get to hear you do the analysis of the race. Really grippy roads around there and the blustery weather conditions. They were knocking lumps out of each other. I made a similar comment last year to. But it’s worth repeating. Thé qualité of riders in the UK scene is at level that I never thought we’d see in all the years I’ve watched racing in Britain and Ireland. It’s so fecking good to see ❤️☘️

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

I am still perplexed that they never had a Tour winner until Wiggo! One of YOUR countrymen even beat them to that by 25 YEARS!!

[@Swampster70]

The lad suffered and raced well... ... but I bet there have been countless tour stages where he's had to put in performances greater than this, especially the big mountain stages. I remember one stage of the Tour of California that went from Sacramento (sea level) over Carson Pass (8500ft) with about 70 miles of non-stop up hill going to Tahoe. The footage of Cav on that stage was brutal. He said the following day that it was his hardest day on the bike ever. It made for great viewing. As an English lad that moved to the US 23 years ago, it was good to see racing like that on UK roads.

[@JollyGraham]

Words fail me. Incredible ride, so pleased for him. Such a shame he won’t be in the Tour de France.

[@JDMthwmn]

One of the silliest things about not taking Cav is Lefevre not acknowledging that the psychological desire to win could see Cav excel, irrespective of the allegedly superior physical condition of Jakobson. That drive and ambition would be some serious jet fuel in the tank and they’re leaving him at home. On top of that, it would be media frenzy either way. He wins and they go wild. He doesn’t win and the media lap up the story of “so close, but no cigar. What about next year?”. It’s a huge missed opportunity for the sponsors and the fans. Utter madness!

[@GardenHard2012]

It's not even about that, as a team and sponsors breaking that record would put the team and there sponsors in the highlight every day, that is worth more than winning, that would be all anyone would be talking about for the rest of the year. Bad plan bois, mark is going to a new team and he will be get a tour de france spot for 2023 and that new team will get crazy sponsors because of that. The tour will be losers this year. My only thought might be they might have been paid to leave him off because the french dont want that record broken!

[@paulsolon6229]

The best sprinter in history of our sport is not now top tier sprinter. Others are better

[@denverspin]

It is politics. And big money.

[@ScottF-hh5yj]

Has Cavendish been targeting nationals since early in the season? I’m pretty sure that riding nationals now means riders have to leave a covid secure pre-TDF training bubble, if so, Cavendish himself would probably have known riding in the nationals would have put him out of contention for a TDF ride. I’d guess that the decision to leave him out came much earlier in the season, and Cavendish’s win & subsequent media comments are a well played game to secure him a decent ride on a World Tour team for 2023, and therefore a shot riding in the world’s in Glasgow before retiring.

[@paulsolon6229]

No. Cav is not as good anymore. Quick step has data on all its riders. Cav s career was saved by quickstep. In a way his life. He cd have said thanks and re signed and got on w it. But did not. Not as good he asked for more cash to re sign, for this for that. Finally w o getting his demands he really signs. B c he had no other place to go. Then he shows up at first training camp fat and out of shape. The first q any race team manager asks re tour is: Will this rider be a hood teammate? Will he fit? And Cav, it was decided, wd not be. The second q asked is: is the rider ready, fit, in shape, on top of his game. Cav is not as good as Fabio. Cav here has been his own worst enemy. teams come to tour to win w their a players. That’s not Cav. Can’t trust him. So he’s not on the team. Fabio you can trust

[@felixwagner3152]

Crazy performance! I'd never expect anything like that from him.

[@morrisizing]

The last 2 national champs have been great viewing. With riders taking the racing on early making for a hard day's racing. Cav used all of his race craft to win. Using the rolling downhills with his tucked riding position, his sprint & pursuiting ability to close gaps.

[@TheRhodes76]

Awesome coverage as always thank you 🙏 Can’t believe cav isn’t going to the tour 🤨

[@theodorelucaes1791]

Such a nice race and I feel like all the highlights are there, very good video!

[@mididoctors]

Cav won the commonwealth gold in a similar way ...he also won numerous UK races from breaks ...savy rider

[@ScottF-hh5yj]

Unless I’m mistaken, Cav has only won a commonwealth gold on the track (scratch race) in 2006. He last won the NC in Glasgow circa 2013, which was held on the exact same course as the 2014 commonwealth games RR, won by Geraint Thomas.

[@skidooboondocker]

Cav is amazing!!! Tour needs a guy like this!!

[@arcadiandj]

He is THE MAN!!! Congrats to one of the best-and thank you so much for this video!!!

[@cesarjom]

This is wonderful result. Congrats Mark! Cavendish is a GOAT!!

[@jaffaholland4039]

Masterclass, if honest I did not think Cav had that type of form, its a disgrace that he is not going to the Tour

[@sean7098]

How is it a disgrace that Jakobsen is going instead of Cav?

[@jaffaholland4039]

@@sean7098 After the wins that Cav has had this year, especially this last week he deserves to go on merit

[@sean7098]

@@jaffaholland4039 Jakobsen has won 10 - 2 at Valenciana , 2 at Algarve, Kurne Brussels Kurne, Paris Nice Stage, 2 at Hungary, Elfstedenronde Brugge , Belgium Tour Stage, Cavendish has won 5 - British National Champs , Giro Stage , UAE Stage , Oman Stage, Milan Torino. Compare the competition and you can see Jakobsen is going on merit

[@vladfromfrance]

@@jaffaholland4039 Merit ? please mate. Look at Jakobsen's results this year and Cav's. Cav did well but Jakobsen and you will see that on merit alone, it's close, and arguably Jakobsen did better.

[@thomassmith5437]

@@sean7098 You are ruining your own argument. Cav has won at the bigger races - The Giro and UAE are world tour wins, while Jakobsen just has a Paris Nice stage... The Tour is the biggest race of the year so you want the rider that can win those races... Cav!

[@1JOSHEE]

Totally agree I was up at Scotland and on course -Cav was unbelievable it was so windy - total respect.

[@johnbertram]

He's definitely under appreciated as an all around cyclist. Saw him smashing it up Hartside in last year's Tour of Britain. He can properly climb and race when it's necessary. He was amazing in the champs over the weekend - and he was a gentleman by going nowhere near full gas in the sprint.

[@davidboonzaayer6832]

That was one highly entertaining race seeing cav getting active!

[@TheLanorth]

Great analysis! Makes me appreciate the racing from all the riders! Can you do more nationals? Like the dutch, danish, german or italian for example?

[@yaacov9008]

Thanks for this, wasn't able to see the whole thing yesterday so your highlights are great as ever

[@danroberts007]

What a great race and such a positive attitude in the interview. It is a crime to not send him to the Tour. Patrick Lefevre has lost his mind. I was never a fan of Cavendish in his younger years but he really seems to have matured as a person these last couple seasons… at least it looks that way from a distance. I was really hoping he’d get the chance to go beat that record; crazy not to give him the chance.

[@denverspin]

It's politics.

[@Bryan_Harding]

Nice job, Lanterne! I really enjoyed watching this and seeing the Happy Cav interview was icing on the cake!!

[@aymericmurer56]

Samuel Watson is a complete beast

[@UnderTheBarWL]

The best bit about this win is Cavendish turning up with almost zero team support and only his step-son as a Soigneur 👏👏👏

[@badcaseofthebajabada]

What a likable, thoughtful guy when he’s not being a jerk.

[@MADTASS]

Best Video Yet, really enjoyed, Reckon you would be an Excellent Commentator on the World Stage.

[@GiddyUpSunshine]

Great pro commentary coverage here on Cavs win... Very enjoyable to watch. Thanks 👍

[@joecant7147]

Really well commented and edited video as usual! I dont understand all the tactical nuances of cycling so this translated it all perfectly - what an art

[@martinmorris6485]

watched the whole thing earlier, stunning performance just everything right and full on all the way, excellent entertainment too

[@claudiocampuzano7364]

I am new to this sport. As of about five years - pretty much right after Cav's last big year. I'd never actually even HEARD of him until last year. So... NOT a fanboy. At least I wasn't. But who couldn't fall in love with last year's story. So... I said I'm new to the sport. But I'm in DEEP. I organized a fantasy league. I have subscriptions to GCN+, FloBikes, and Peacock - all the services you need to watch all the races in the U.S. I've watched most of every race this year. I watch LRCP, Chris Horner, Cosmo, Cycling Dane... Jesus, so much cycling. All of this is to say... Cav's performance in this race was eye-opening. Yeah, he's an awesome sprinter. One of the best that ever lived. (Maybe even THE BEST.) But this... He showed what a damned GOOD BIKE RACER he is. Such a pleasure to watch. So exciting. So. Much. Fun. For me, he has come to represent the best of the sport. A great competitor.

[@bikingviking3984]

not your biggest race breakdown, but perhaps your best. top shelf LR.

[@garybird8646]

Great analysis, Cav really wanted this one and deserves to ride the tour.

[@alastairwood7277]

I watched almost all of it live and from almost minute one you knew Cav would make the end easily it was merely if someone could creep of the front. In that regard he rode an exemplary ride to manage attacks and when it came down to a sprint there was never even a challenge for him. Even forced Richardson (btw unreal ride) and Watson to lead him out for good measure

[@jozetrselic]

Great vid as always. THX. Cav is a beast, sorry to not seeing him in France

[@robinbergersen3726]

Its actually a disgrace that Cav isnt going to the Tour, I mean his form is amazing and he would definitely chase that 35th win that would be a legendary achievement

[@MDP1702]

It was always said he'd be reserve for the tour and only go if Jakobsen can't. And he hes ridden a shit giro with just 1 win. It almost seems he purposely focused on being at his best around the tour and not the giro.

[@MDP1702]

@Gone Awry *no body gives a rip about the giro.* Cav went to the giro to win stages and he didn't deliver, that is all what counts. Whether anyone cares about the giro doesn't matter. If he didn't have the motivation to win stages in the giro because 'no one givers a rip about the giro' would just show him to not be professional

[@MDP1702]

@Gone Awry That depends on the team. QST has never been a team sheltering riders who can't perform. The fact they gave Cav another chance as the only team to do that was quite extraordinary for them. If Cav wants to be treated like royalty without performance based decisions, he'll need to go to another team. And Sagan is Sagan, he is considered even more unique than Cav by many. Doesn't matter that you find the giro boring, a sprint is a sprint and that is what Cav needs to win as a sprinter.

[@MDP1702]

@Gone Awry So you have no good arguments and just come with a stupid reaction? Who is the troll then 🤣

[@sunnysauce1526]

@Gone Awry you're so biased you cant even see it lmao. Classic British cycling fan...

[@bkflex55]

LR: best cycling recaps on the net! Thanks so much LR. Great job.

[@mattdavies1]

Legendary performance from a true Legend

[@samupton7654]

Brilliant video and analysis once again

[@LennieNelson55]

The gear he pushed in the sprint was bonkers. Just had to do like 3 rotations and it was gap city nice playdate see you later boys enjoy the showers 🤯

[@KilometroFinal]

Does anyone know why Alpecin let Alexandar Richardson go? I was always impressed by his story of becoming a pro later in life, and he seems to be going super well at the moment.

[@alessandrosella9631]

He got let go apparently because in Richmond Park or raced Hog Hill weekday crits he'd be on an s-works or cervelo or pinarello. Not his team bike. I've seen him do this but that could just be the London rumour mill.

[@naterjack001]

I heard the stories about him not riding team equipment and also not a team player

[@asarda4]

Watching this again, Cavendish was on song. Understood some things that I missed out the first time. Such a joy to watch.

[@Tomanart]

Super informative video and for me, Cav is a legend, I remember watching his many TDF stage winning sprints with commentary from Phil Liggett😊

[@robbo3132]

Awesome commentary....you somehow manage to get better and better

[@chrisko6439]

Great race, great performance and your coverage was excellent, thank you!

[@tomm1413]

This goes to show that Cav could have been more than just a world class sprinter. He is clever and knows when to pull and when to leave an attack be. He has the brains of a great cyclist and he could have won some more classics if he got the chance. The problem is that nobody wants to go to the line with Cav. He is so fast and everyone will try to drop him if they're in the winning breakaway together with Cav. It's good to see him perform like this, it's sad he isn't going to the Tour, but that's life sadly enough. If he went, he would have taken his 35th stage for sure and I am afraid he won't be able to do this at Quick Step. I'm afraid Lefèvre wants to keep the stage win record tied between Cav and Merckx...

[@lokerola]

Tragic they're not bringing him to the Tour. WTF??!

[@AuroDHikoshi]

Maybe looking at profile and who he is up against, wanting to be certain he goes for the record in the best way?

[@markadamson969]

Yeah crazy no? Anyone would think they're taking the fastest sprinter or something?!

[@alexqq14]

@@markadamson969 he is not even the fastest sprinter on his team. I love Cav and hope he can break the record next year but from a pure sporting perspective it doenst make sense to take him

[@markadamson969]

@@alexqq14 Was my sarcasm not applied strongly enough?

[@alexqq14]

@@markadamson969 ah sorry mate english isnt my first language

[@jamescampbell2436]

Was in Dumfries on holiday last week and had no idea any of the nationals were on until we got down there. Popped over to Castle Douglas to watch the mens race on the Sunday, by the way massive shout out to the women who took part in the morning race in absolutley appaling conditions. Was great to see these guys in the flesh, allbeit fleetingly.

[@lindsaynewell6319]

Great race made even better by the expert analysis and commentary 👏

[@matthewuk12000]

Clock put his ride data on his insta stories, 330 average power, 377 NP. IF 0.91 for 4.5 hours. When i messaged him saying thats a 400watt FTP he replied 'add a 50 on ;)' big boi numbers. I am sure LR can do the math and work out roughly what cav might have been doing based on his size. I am sure Clock offers up a hell of a draft though!

[@Malandirix]

Nats do have some similarities to track racing so I'm not massively surprised. Still a fantastic performance that definitely warrants a tour spot imo.

[@4magicboxes]

Great video and analysis, thank you Lanterne.

[@neilwheel]

It's a similar performance to his last British championship win in 2013. Then, he took the race by the scruff of the neck, closed everyone down & was a well-deserved winner.

[@robertcatuara5118]

I was yelling at him when he went so early. Once again I underestimated Cav. He deserves one more Tour.

[@martinrodgers6114]

He is in the best form of his life and should be in the Tour!!

[@daveyoung6680]

Neither did I Lantern and have to say probably one of the best individual rides I've ever watched

[@richardevans2421]

Amazing race for Cav. Sad he is missing out at the tour. Will he make another year?

[@wojta610cz5]

Cavendish said he wont retire, many WT dont even have a sprinter, so he has plenty of options.

[@MikeAG333]

@@wojta610cz5 It isn't as simple as that. If you don't have a sprinter, you also don't have lead-out trains. If a team without any sprinter were to sign Cav and they'd have to sign a whole bunch of others as well to ride in support and lead him to the line.

[@juhanipalosaari6945]

Thanks. Great work once again.

[@andy_xtr3861]

Awesome ride, knowone expected cav to ride like that. Superb!

[@lindzhoward7752]

It's all about Lefevere keeping Merckx record in tact !!

[@loverofgod6176]

Plus probably not wanting to put up with Cav's histronics.

[@MDP1702]

Bullshit, Cav could just go in another team next year. Jakobsen is just the better sprinter looking over the entire season. Cavendish was just like last year reserve and he completely stuffed the giro with just one win. Cavendish doesn't deserve a sport for the tour this year, the only reason people are questioning QST's decision is because he might be able to break the record and apparently QST just doesn't care. Without this record, no one would be batting an eye about him not being selected.

[@Flakey101]

@@MDP1702 Interesting, using your logic Lotto should not bring Ewan either since he did far worse than Cav and not win any stages, and does not deserve a spot in the Tour.

[@MDP1702]

@@Flakey101 Ewan crashed in the giro and also isn't getting a usual sprinttrain with him this tour. Lotto doesn't have a better sprinter anyway so who would you replace him with? De Lie is not at the neeeded level yet and definitely not ready for the tour.

[@loverofgod6176]

@@doommonger7784 *equal greatest

[@northman77]

I am happy for the guy. I mean he have been the best of the world then in the dark! Everybody thought he was done... He is back, it's nice!

[@yokdelan8840]

Probably the most beautiful bike race I've seen so far (not too long since I started watching)

[@Ryan97beyond]

it seems to me like Patrick Lefevere doesn't want Cav to make history by breaking Eddy Merckx record. Maybe next year Cav, in another team.

[@johnwest7993]

Cavendish can ALWAYS race like this. He's an icon of the sport.

[@st.sptr.5475]

Reminded me of the last time he won nationals. Was in similar fashion, continously attacked by his breakaway companions but he managed to stay with them too until the end and smoked them even harder in the sprint.

[@RB..1]

Those young pups on the podium. At least they can say they were beaten by a legend.

[@adventuresona700dollarhard5]

Ive been waiting for this recap!

[@cokebottles6919]

Why aren't they putting him in the tour? He'd be one of the biggest reasons to watch.

[@gregodify]

Another 37-year-old, Yukiya Arashiro, won the Japanese National Championships. He sat in the middle of the group most of the race and beat his brother had a teammate in the finale, in a two-up sprint.

[@charlyncorgan1954]

Just showing the kids how it's done. And several little "chats" with the guys. You can see him reading the race and the riders. I felt like I had a crash course in tactics. Best race in a long time. No words re the Cav non-selection. I think Patrick and all the commenters here have said it already. Thanks, Patrick.

[@williammurray1620]

That was a hell of a ride! Really disappointed that he won't get a ride at the Tour.