Mark Cavendish is preparing for his 18th season in the pro peloton in 2024, returning with a strengthened Astana Qazaqstan team as he takes aim at a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage win next summer.
Back in July, the Manxman was edging closer to the momentous task of overhauling Merckx, recording a second place on stage 7 in Bordeaux before fate intervened a day later. He crashed out of the race on the road to Limoges, the disappointment of not going out on his own terms only amplified by the pain of a broken collarbone.
