Adam Blythe critical of Cavendish's Tour de France Stage 3 performance as pundits clash on The Breakaway

There were mixed views on Mark Cavendish’s sixth placed finish on Stage 3 of the Tour de France as The Breakaway panel clashed over his performance. Cavendish (Astana-Qazaqstan) is chasing a record 35th stage win, but it was Belgium’s Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) who took victory ahead of Germany’s Phil Bauhaus (Bahrain-Victorious) and Australia’s Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny). Ad British rider Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) finished safely in the peloton to retain the yellow jersey for a third day.

Tour de France'He won't be happy' — The Breakaway team discuss Cavendish prospects ahead of Stage 42 HOURS AGO Former racer Robbie McEwen — who was a three-time winner of the points classification in the Tour de France — thought it was an encouraging day’s work for Cavendish. “Promising that he’s up there at the pointy end and it would’ve been disappointing had he just rolled in around 67th or something and not been able to sprint”, he said. “Sixth.

Not up to his lofty standards of years gone by but encouraging nonetheless that he was there and there’s plenty more days to come.” Fellow pundit Dan Lloyd agreed with McEwen’s thoughts but admitted a lack of time spent racing alongside team-mate Cees Bol could prove problematic. “I think he’ll stick with it for the time being but there’s been a lot of speculation as to why they haven’t raced together a little bit more in the lead up to this race”, Lloyd said. “I think sixth place is really promising for him with the sprints that we’ve still got to come because that was a really fast finale”, he added.

However, former rider Adam Blythe said: “You guys are saying sixth is promising. Rubbish. We’re concentrating too much on him saying the third week is where he can shine.” “Yes,