In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Mark Cavendish has etched his name in Tour de France history by surpassing Eddy Merckx's longstanding record for the most career stage wins. The veteran Isle of Man sprinter claimed his 35th victory in what could be his final appearance at cycling's most prestigious race.

Cavendish's momentous triumph came during the fifth stage of the Tour, where he showcased his exceptional sprinting ability. Despite being tightly bunched in, the 39-year-old accelerated in the final 100 meters to cross the line first, leaving Jasper Philipsen in second place. Norwegian rider Alexander Kristoff, who had suffered an earlier crash, finished in third, with all three riders given the same time of 4 hours, 8 minutes, 46 seconds.

Sixteen years after his initial Tour stage win, Cavendish spoke of his relentless hunger for victory. Reflecting on his achievement, he stated, "I always needed to win one more. It takes a lot to get there every year. I've got incredible people around me." Cavendish was joined by his children on the podium, adding a sense of joyous celebration to the historic moment.

While Tadej Pogacar, the two-time champion, narrowly avoided a crash and maintained his hold on the yellow jersey as the race leader, the day undoubtedly belonged to Cavendish. Prior to this win, Cavendish had equaled Merckx's record of 34 wins during the 2021 Tour and had come close to securing his 35th victory in the previous year, narrowly losing out to Jasper Philipsen. However, a subsequent crash and a fractured collarbone put a temporary halt to his pursuit of the record.

Merckx, often hailed as the most dominant rider in cycling history, amassed his 34 individual stage wins between 1969 and 1975. In contrast, while Cavendish has never won the overall title, his longevity and consistent success among his fellow Tour sprinters remain unparalleled. Alongside his Tour de France accolades, Cavendish, who recently joined Astana after being overlooked for the 2022 Tour, has won the best sprinter's green jersey twice, conquered stages at the Giro d'Italia and Spanish Vuelta, and became a world champion in 2011.

Cavendish's decision to postpone his retirement by a year and make a comeback in the 2023 race has certainly paid off. Delighted with his achievement, he revealed, "I just wanted to get the run-in to do it. I'm a little bit in disbelief. Astana put a big gamble on this year to make sure we're good at the Tour de France. We've done it."

The Tour de France continues with Pogacar, aiming to secure the rare Giro-Tour double and his third Tour title, leading the overall standings with a 45-second advantage over Remco Evenepoel. The next stage, the sixth stage, is again tailored for sprinters, featuring a 100-mile journey through vineyards to Dijon. Fans eagerly await further thrilling moments as the race unfolds.

As Mark Cavendish basks in the glory of his record-breaking win, his achievement serves as a testament to his unwavering passion, perseverance, and monumental contributions to the world of cycling.