BRIVE-LA-GAILLARDE, France, July 20, 2012 (AFP) – World champion Mark
Cavendish equaled a Tour de France landmark Friday when he equaled the 22
stage win tally of French sprinter Andre Darrigade.
The overall record for the most stage wins in the Tour de France is held by
retired Belgian legend Eddy Merckx, who won 34.
Darrigade, a former world champion, in 1959, however, is generally credited
with holding the record for the most stage wins by a sprint specialist.
Cavendish equaled the tally on Friday’s 18th stage when he powered out of
a chasing pack in the final 200 meters to stun Irishman Nicolas Roche (AG2R)
and Rabobank rider Luis Leon Sanchez of Spain.
The Isle of Man had taken his tally to 21 with his first victory of this
year’s 99th edition on stage two.
