For three-time world champion Peter Sagan, the Tour de France has "changed his life", for record stage winner Mark Cavendish there is still no time for sentimentality.
When the 110th Tour de France rolls off today in Bilbao, some cycling stars will embark on their last big journey on France's country roads. This also marks the end of an era.
Mark Cavendish
Cavendish has achieved an impressive 34 stage wins in his 13 Tour participations, which means he holds the record together with the legendary Eddy Merckx. This year, the 38-year-old Brit is aiming for his 35th coup. That's why the star sprinter isn't thinking about the end any time soon. "I will regret not being able to savour the moment and all the Tour experiences. But I have a job to do." At the Giro d'Italia, the former world champion showed that he is still competitive and took his 162nd professional victory.
Peter Sagan
Sagan also made history at the Tour. The Slovakian won the green jersey of the rider with the most points seven times, surpassing Erik Zabel (6). "Winning stages and taking the jersey seven times changed my life. I'm so grateful to the Tour," said Sagan, who had problems of a different kind before the start. Sagan was given a suspended sentence of three months for drink-driving in his adopted home of Monaco. The 33-year-old is winding down his road career this year and will switch to mountain biking next year for the Olympics in Paris.
Thibaut Pinot
French star Thibaut Pinot also says goodbye at the Tour. "I haven't even realised yet that it's my last tour. Not even when I packed my bags." The mountain specialist, who also finished third overall in 2014, won three stages. For years, Pinot had made the hosts dream of the first Tour victory by a Frenchman since Bernard Hinault (1985), but something kept getting in the way. In 2019, the chance was very close before his thigh didn't play ball. It's an unfinished story for the 33-year-old Pinot.
Copyright 2023, dpa (www.dpa.de). All rights reserved
