Island 'salutes' Tour de France record breaker
The Manx nation "salutes" the achievements of Mark Cavendish after his record-breaking finish in the Tour de France, an island cycling coach has said.
The Manx Missile broke the stage wins record by taking his 35th victory in cycling's greatest race, surpassing Eddy Merckx.
Dot Tilbury, who started coaching Cavendish at the age of nine, said it was an "unbelievable" feat but he had achieved it "because of who he is and the focus he has".
The record-breaker was also praised by Chief Minister Alfred Cannan, who said: “As a nation, we are extremely proud of Sir Mark."
It was "wonderful" to see the 39-year-old who started cycling "among our junior ranks", go on to succeed "at the very highest level and make history”, he said.
After equalling the record in 2021, Cavendish struggled with illness and injury before being forced to withdraw from what was intended to be his last Tour last year after a crash that left him with a broken collar bone.
After accepting an invitation to once again compete in the event with the Astana Qazaqstan in 2024, the 39-year-old achieved the record-breaking victory in Wednesday's stage five of the event.
Praising his achievements, Daphne Caine MHK said the victory as a "fairy tale finish".
The Manxman "digs deep, despite everything he’s been through", which was "the stuff great champions are made of", she added.
Celebrating his Manx roots, Julie Edge MHK said Cavendish was the "greatest sprinter in the world" and suggested a statue could be erected in his honour.
Cavendish started his journey in the sport competing on his BMX at the weekly junior cycling sessions held at the National Sports Centre in Douglas, run by Ms Tilbury.
She said it had been "so wonderful" to watch his career and his achievements had shown younger cyclists from the island that "you don’t have to be from a big city to perform on the world stage".
"There will be worldwide pride, but for people on the Isle of Man its earth-shattering, the whole island will salute him," she added.
Former professional cyclist and Isle of Man cycling development officer Rob Holden said Cavendish had “made it look easy when we know how tough and brave you have to be” at the Tour.
He said it was an “amazing achievement” and the Manxman should also be applauded for the “example he sets in terms of resilience” because the way he had come back from from challenges and setbacks was “bigger than cycling”.
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