Tour de France: Mark Cavendish back at the top

The setting couldn’t have been more appropriate: Fougères, the small Breton town where Mark Cavendish captured his last Grand Tour stage win for the Wolfpack, was six years later the site of one of the greatest comebacks in sports history, an incredible moment that nobody will forget.
Back at Le Tour with the Wolfpack, the Manxman rolled back the years in spectacular fashion and sprinted to a sensational victory that unleashed a touching outpouring of emotion.
Video: Nick Poole

[@fuiers]

I've seen some special victories in the past years but I have never seen a rider more happy than Cav after yesterday. Such a joyful sight. Congratulations!

[@jshepard5840]

Best moment in cycling in a long time. Being at the top for so long, then hitting rock bottom, then rising back to the pinnacle of the sport through hard work and determination (and a great team). So happy for Cav.

[@nickturner8666]

Nothing but Respect for Cav, he is an absolute gentleman. I wish him more stage wins in the future 👍

[@DailyGamesyt]

Your wish has been granted

[@Adanteh]

@@DailyGamesyt I do think its safe to say he wasn't really a gentleman in todays sprint.

[@bicipiccola]

@@Adanteh rewatch the video, neither side kept their line if that’s what you’re referring to. You’d say the same thing about the other guy had he won. No malicious intent on either side and no harm was caused. These guys were going 71.9 kmh…try keeping a straight line at that speed in the middle of chaos.

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

I've watched him since he was a track rider as a kid, I've tried hard to like the guy, but I just don't. Cippolini was right when he said something along the lines of "Cav will always be a winner, but never a Champion". The guy just cannot handle a loss to the point where he acts like a kid that just threw his toys out the pram. To see him cry at every success is as embarrassing as watching Gazza on the pitch. Newbies to cycling (I'm talking since 2012) have gravitated towards him because he's an English speaker that wins. The sport runs deeper than just the guy that wins the sprint.

[@bicipiccola]

@@nelsonhibbert5267 I totally get you. I feel like he’s gotten better about the losses. I understand there’s more than just winning sprints but i appreciate his talent for it. He will likely surpass Merckx’s record, which is something.

[@Ih8GoogleandApple]

Morkov drilling it at the end what a lead out!

[@McKinneyLiz]

Brilliant leadout.

[@commentsenabled9963]

i buy quick step flooring in USA because of these guys.

Nice one! Means they get the job done haha !

[@philcotswold5940]

I bought Quickstep flooring because I needed some flooring. But Cavendish is great.

[@LightsNcrafts]

I'm totally new to the Tour de France. I just started learning about the rules, all the teams, and the riders. And suffice to say, Cavendish is my favorite! Wishing him all the best and more wins this year! Good luck to Cav and the entire team! Respect!

[@procyclingclips]

I love cav too!! infact i made a mini documentry about his career : kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIfcd6OKd62naLM

[@vickieboone6994]

I'm so happy for him. He's the best and deserves this. 4 more man.

[@jaffaholland4039]

The best sprinter that the tour de france has ever had, one of the most honest riders that cycling has ever had. You see how the rest of the team and other teams are happy for Cav. He has struggle with mental and physical health issues. The record/goal for trying to get the most stage wins in many ways should not really be talked about as it does not matter, coming back and getting a stage win is film worthy. Let's just appreciate the honour of seeing this truly amazing cyclist back on top at the tour de france.

[@vincentkrause7097]

Marcel Kittel with a good leadout was equally good but sadly ended his career early

[@jaffaholland4039]

@@vincentkrause7097 excellent rider

[@sennabus3356]

@@vincentkrause7097 Kittel was a beast, but Cav is the best ever. It’s not about pure power with Cav, it’s that natural instinct to know what to do at the critical moments.

[@cherries4life387]

@@vincentkrause7097 Kittel was outstanding... but when it comes to the best, longevity and number of stage wins has to be factored in

[@asterixinbritainsteve8868]

Wow,wow,wow. I shouted myself hoarse and like a lot of bike fans I had tears in my eyes. Congratulations Cav; and to Patrick Lefevere thank you for making this possible.

[@garcipr]

I’m so happy for Cav! The whole team is just pure class!

[@orhansaimdemirturk]

Absolutely...

[@carolclayton6393]

Thank you Patrick for going with your heart when you brought Mark back to the pack.

[@AdamRobertsDP]

Right in the feels. What a legend. More than a few of us have never stopped believing. Looking forward to seeing no 32! I once got lapped 9 times by Cav in the National Madison champs. 🤣

[@nickp8589]

Didn't have to wait long!!!!! GO CAV

[@AdamRobertsDP]

@@nickp8589 that was a master class in sprinting!

[@lvtiguy226]

"Always Believe" Inspiration for the ages. Thank you Mark, for proving that anything is possible. Congratulations!!

[@PEPlourde]

There is no one in the peleton right know that loves the sport as much as this man. Congrats Mark!

[@marks8060]

Mark Cavendish is my sporting hero!!! Living legend. Has been for years. brilliant athlete

[@fwrdr]

And that's how the Deceuninck - Quick-Step Cycling Team team became the most popular team in the TDF 2021! Yellow Jersey, Green Jersey. Who knows an all out win?

[@Dennis-gr8ex]

No way I can’t stand Lefevre…but well done to Cav, he’s a real champion.

[@holmbjerg]

@@Dennis-gr8ex Can't stand Lefevre? He performs miracles on a limited budget and a real comradery among the riders who year after year overperform.

[@sean7098]

@@holmbjerg Yeah but he does say unnecessary things to the press a lot of the time about riders

[@Dennis-gr8ex]

@@holmbjerg Limited budget? Don't they have one of the largest budgets in the peleton? He's a big hypocrite in my opinion.

[@MrCollewet]

@@Dennis-gr8ex Their budget is not limited, but it's not one of the largest ones either. In the 2020 TDF Ineos, UAE, CCC, FDJ, Jumbo visma, Sunweb, Bora, Cofidis, Astana had a better budget than DQS.

[@jesperjessen5374]

Cried my bloody eyes out after that win Mark ❤️ congrats

[@magsdixon4528]

Honestly in tears. Fantastic!

[@francksteinel3082]

Très content pour toi, Mark. De bien belles émotions ... Félicitations, à toi et au Wolfpack !

[@georgesa.videau8332]

Julian Alaphilip. Is absolute class.

[@garymcmanus9946]

Amazing rider and true gent...

[@alpd7638]

@@garymcmanus9946 except when he takes another mans wife

[@garymcmanus9946]

@@alpd7638 that is naughty.

[@romainm7147]

@@alpd7638 she was available.

[@paulsolon6229]

He takes riders out by deviating his line at sprints

[@padwicin01]

The most incredible thing is he he keeps saying it's a dream to ride with the world champion, to share the roads with the yellow jersey etc. Like all these people are great compared to himself. He is unbelievably humble, he is a tour legend and he just doesn't realise it. Other riders are probably in awe of him and his achievements and he just feels blessed to be still riding. Gets me in the feels every time...

[@yc6018]

The love and passion in this quickstep team is amazing

[@eliteharrington7377]

Mark's post race interview was a tearjerker 😥💯 I'm hoping to cry more tears of joy for this incredibly gifted human being.

[@acme181169]

Phenomenal. CAV, his secret is the third leg!

[@monchitoscalecrawling5035]

The Manx Missile is back! You earned it champ.

[@terrancegrant1664]

This is when bike racing is beautiful!

[@joannepizel2728]

This win makes me care again about the TDF. So special. 🥰

[@Niki24]

Again tears in my eyes, again goosebumps. Love these insights!

[@Wannabetolkien]

The Greatest Sprinter of our time🥺🥺🥺

[@BenjiNaesenTV]

#CavToTheTour

[@elboxeo403]

#CavtotheTour Benji

[@pablorubiopascual2269]

Genious!!!

[@halfrousseau69]

fantastic closing speech to colleagues - that is leadership. Humble, proud and thankful. Bravo Mark.

[@samj1185]

It finally feels like the Tour now. The first 3 stages were literally a wreck. Hoping for a bunch of fast, crash free TTs today!!

[@lawrencewinter]

Agreed. It's been a fairytale and a nightmare at the same time. Horrible viewing but terrific drama - what a tour, already!!

[@simondavis9439]

Wow love this team and we all love cav , special combo quickstep and cav ,the boy is home and happy ,done us proud cav.

[@TM-sg1fr]

Hamilton v Cavendish ... Cavo gets my respect every time!!!!

[@danielb5993]

You mean Lewis? Different sport mate and Lewis is fine. Don’t see why you even needed to go there, jeez

[@RichardHowesPhotography]

Absolute magic! What a man, what a team, what a vibe.

[@akay4500]

So much love and pride in the Wolf Pack! 👊💥🥰

[@geodesy2009]

Pure unadulterated joy! A massive vindication for faith, teamwork and dedication. It is, for a moment, a just universe. Well done Cav & team.

[@stevenfreeman7798]

My fave team by absolutely miles. What a team spirit!. Have a feeling this is your tour boys!. Thanks to every single team member, wolf pack you can do it.

[@simoncartledge6980]

Absolutely delighted for Cav... a well documented battle and great to see such a great performance. Hoping it continues. He's worked bloody hard for it, so let the stages wins come his way...chapeau!

[@justinyoung7207]

Wolfpack!! Getting it done as usual.

[@sennabus3356]

What a team.! Cav is one of my all time sporting heroes, so amazing seeing him back winning 💪

[@brianharder7714]

Powerful emotions after being down so far. Amazing return. The guy used to really bug me in his hey day but I have nothing but respect for him in his career twilight.

[@juanorregochannel5678]

Best victory in recent years...

[@kaufuss]

What a rider, leaves everything on the road in a sprint. Nothing but respect for him.

[@neilbeard700]

What a guy!!! I don’t watch much cycling but I’ll watch Cav all day long

[@frisbeethenail]

Thanks for making me (us) happy as well Cav, you really are the GOAT. Always believe!!

[@j.plentink3985]

Such a tough guy on himself.....real man shed tears too.... Ty Cav.....thru all those years.....i still believed....your an inspiration to all the people that doubt....even in themselves....

[@michaelairley2015]

Looks like his first win ever. The face of loving cycling. Keep fighting Cav.

[@cherieperez9256]

Thanks for inside look, so happy for Cav and this team

[@christye4246]

Cav is emotional even when he’s not emotional!

[@amponwimonpan8311]

Very amazing I’m from Thailand

[@penafiel4x479]

Un grande!! Congratulations!!

[@neil_down_south]

So moving to see how the team gels. Go Cav! Go DQS!

[@michaelvitiello9960]

So beautiful. I've never seen someone with so much love in their heart like Mark. Couldn't be happening to a more deserving person.

[@pauline6717]

It's so beautiful to see him so happy! Makes me happy, too ❤️

[@markushoefle9184]

This is absolutely amazing! On of the great moments in sports!

[@kristinditlevsen6693]

Warm heart 💚💚💚. Love this guy. Always have.and always will.

[@stephenmcghee7408]

Amazing commitment to the toughest sporting event in the world.

[@Mububban23]

I'm so happy for you!!!! Best wishes from Australia

[@AbadiTisnadisastra]

this short video is amazing to watch and the watch that he wears is amazing :)

[@allenb4823]

I cannot get enough of this video!! Love it!

[@allanmaureenmacintyre4474]

WOW! Just WOW! The greatest sprinter................................

[@felixjackson2670]

Fantastic. Hard Work and deep suffering has finally brought Mark to his best. So happy for him.

[@joerussuk]

Love it! What a win

[@AlejandroAngelVelasquez]

Always Believe! Thank you Cav, you have inspired me to try it hard again!

[@blackblade65]

What a story. Very emotional for Cav ... the mental strength to come back to this is unbelievable. But also have to look at the teamwork ... they worked for him so hard to make it happen. Sport at it’s most inspiring best.

[@mrdalesc3071]

If this doesn’t get to you, you’re made of stone. Chapeau

[@FredPegley]

Brilliant Mark.... love the humility and pure joy ! Cheers to the team too. Great lead outs.

[@lrcb40]

All fabulous athletes and Mark is one of a kind

[@TheWeekendCyclist]

Best TDF 2021 moment so far. Congrats Cav! More stage wins to come!

[@TaichoCyclist]

Age has made Mark into a more mellow, refined and perspect person but his courage, strength and passion has never ceased. These are the reason why we love to see him succeed again and he did not disappoint. Chapeau Manx Missile for striking it home again, making us all excited with cycling.

[@harrisjon1]

Congratulations, Mark!

[@TheSimong69]

just proves who we rally are.... allways believe,,, could not of said that better... great man with a great team. yipppy

[@pratikthealgtrader5043]

All Time Favourite ....You Cave❤️

[@enwezornzegwu2494]

Great video and insight! Loved it DQSC!

[@ice187666]

one of the best cycling video ! good job

[@kieranmacken9125]

I was out of my chair shouting for Cav, been supporting and watching him since 2008 when I was 10 yrs old. Couldn't have been happier for the result

[@louisedewis8915]

What a special team... They work as a team and win as a team #wolfpack you deserve all the credits and may you win more...

[@kevinmoore7270]

Well done! We never lost faith in your ability to win again. From one Manx man to another Congratulations!

[@chrishodgson6302]

Great video. Love the guy. Up there with Britain’s finest ever sportsmen and women. It’s a privilege to have witnessed his greatness over the years.

[@richardwhowe]

Bravo Cav! Just the most beautiful stage win I've seen. I thought it was pretty hard to top JA's stage win, and then MvdP's, but you did!

[@subliminalvw]

What a team!

[@Danthedog265]

Absolutely brilliant team performance finished off by a true gentleman in cycling...

[@juanorregochannel5678]

Gentleman now. In the past he was an "enfant terrible"..

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

He's a terrible sport, not a gentleman by any means.

[@juanorregochannel5678]

@@nelsonhibbert5267 Now he looks like other person. More affordable and carismatic...

[@401farmer]

Never lost faith in cav 👊

[@jesmarina]

Cavendish is the GOAT. So well deserved. What a fighter.........and well spotted by Lefevere, as always!!

[@fraser1736]

I had a tear and I’m not really big into cycling. What a performance!

[@jax8009]

Never give up on your dreams. I am so happy for Cav, he's worked so hard for this. I cried along with him!

[@nevmann]

Welcome back Cav! What an amazing team effort

[@gokulprasad780]

Literally crying!!! Manxmissile❤️

[@doug3011]

this made my day.

[@ClaimOfRightMuso]

First TDF I remember watching was 1987 and stage 21 of that tour. The commentary from Phil Liggett as Stephen Roche made-up incredible time on Pedro Delgado will stay with me forever: this wonderful moment from Mark Cavendish is up there with it, for sheer joy and emotion. What a moment, it's eternal, forever, and for the ages. Well-done, champion.

[@danielignasiak5447]

I knew that he reborn. Cavs you're great 💪

[@jayhoughton4174]

We all love Cav, for all that he is, dead chuffed he is fully recovered now and after Turkey and Belgium we were hopefully of him being in the tour, but to see him sprinting across the line and winning another tour stage was very emotional for everyone, including Cav. Well done mate, looking forward to another two at least in this tour :D

[@beniaminc]

Congrats CVDSH! Great team vibe and a great win.

[@alexandre3103]

the greatest one !!! CHAMP

[@RHP-pw8xt]

Have watched Cav since he started, always, always a top man. Well done mate.

[@tenchmagic]

Absolutely love everything about this !! Legend 🙌🙌💪💪

[@Here2shtpst]

Cavendish deserves this green so much. Froome getting selected regardless of lack of performance, while you waited to hear until the last minute. Way to show everyone. Hell yeah.

[@jascollinscork]

Kudos to him!!

[@brucecarter5833]

best win ever at the Tour 💕

[@frits8986]

One of the best for sure! VDP’s Mur de Bretagne’s win was pretty epic as well. The first time up was part of the plan for getting the yellow yersey, imagine how many things have to fall in place for that to succeed.

[@nelsonhibbert5267]

@@frits8986 Greg Lemond had the best win EVER at the tour.....