Mark Cavendish exclusion from the Tour de France is a slap in the face for cycling and a smack in the chops for history.
The Manx missile was left out of QuickStep Alpha Vinyl's eight-man squad for Le Tour, which begins in Copenhagen on Friday, leaving him stranded on 34 career stage wins – level with Belgian legend Eddy Merckx. Although QuickStep's decision to stick with in-form flying Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen is no surprise, the decision to deny Cavendish a shot at immortality – and defend the Green Jersey he won last year – is a crying shame.
Even if he makes the start line next year, Cavendish will be 38, and Father Time would have to deal him a generous hand to overhaul Merckx in the record books outright.
