Mark Cavendish foiled in bid for history as Jasper Philipsen claims victory in Bordeaux sprint at 2023 Tour de France

Sixteen years to the day after his Tour de France debut in London, Britain’s Mark Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) came so close to an historic 35th stage win on the world’s biggest bike race. On a hectic finale alongside the Garonne river in Bordeaux, the road opened up for Cavendish, who came from deep with one of his trademark turns of pace and was able to get the jump on the in-form Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck).

Ad But Philipsen showed just why he is the man to beat in bunch sprints at this year’s Tour, the Belgian reacting fast to power past Cavendish and complete a stunning hat-trick of wins in a near-flawless opening week for the 25-year-old. Tour de France'Bitterly disappointed' — Cavendish laments mechanical issues, Breakaway crew keep faithAN HOUR AGO Philipsen was only 13 when Cavendish won on the streets of Bordeaux on the occasion of the Tour's last visit to the capital of southwest France in 2010 – and even he admitted afterwards that he was rooting for his 38-year-old adversary.

“[Cavendish] was really strong and I would also have loved to see him win – I think everyone would,” Philipsen said. “For sure, he will keep on trying.

He’s up there and in good condition, so it will be hard.” Eritrean debutant Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) took third place ahead of Italy’s Luca Mozzato (Arkea-Samsic) and Dutchman Dylan Groenewegen (Jayco-AlUla). There was no joy, however, for Australia’s Caleb Ewan (Lotto Dstny) or the Dutch European champion Fabio Jakobsen (Soudal-QuickStep) who both finished well down after a frustrating end to the 170km stage through the Landes and Gironde regions of France.