Mark Cavendish - Philippe Gilbert has 'no hesitation' that Manx Missile will break Tour de France win record

Eurosport expert Philippe Gilbert says he has “no hesitation” that Mark Cavendish will claim the outright record for most stage wins at the Tour de France. Cavendish is currently tied with Eddy Merckx on 34 victories at cycling’s most prestigious event, having drawn alongside the Belgian great with a stunning four-stage haul in 2021. However, he was overlooked for the Tour by Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl last year, prompting the 37-year-old to seal a move to Astana Qazaqstan for the new campaign.

Ad The Manx Missile has not triumphed on the road since June last year, but Gilbert believes it remains a matter of when – not if – he wins again at the Tour. Tour de FranceGilbert has 'no hesitation' Cavendish will break Tour stage win record3 HOURS AGO “I was really happy to see that Cavendish found a team with Astana,” said Gilbert. “I’m sure that he has this goal in mind and this is his main motivation to still be a cyclist today – to break the record of wins in the Tour.

“I have no hesitation, I know he can do it. I don’t think Cav needs advice, he’s one of the best sprinters ever and he will follow his instincts and make it.” Exclusive: Pogacar will have to 'risk everything' to win all five Monuments — Gilbert No Wout, no problem — there's a new super team in town In an exclusive interview with Eurosport last week, Cavendish described the Tour as «above the sport» as he explained why the race was so special. “I explain to everybody who's never been at the Tour de France, you have amateurs that think they know cycling.

But they can't have an idea of what it's like to ride as a professional, it’s another level," he said. “Then you have to go from professional to WorldTour, it’s an obvious step up. But you haven't just got to step