- Sainz puts Verstappen, Norris in shade at US Grand Prix practice
- New Zealand edge West Indies to reach Women's T20 World Cup final
- UK's Lammy warns China over support for Russia in Ukraine
- Global coral bleaching event biggest on record: US agency
- UK activist jailed for dyeing fountain outside Buckingham Palace red
- Relief, anxiety in Israel after Sinwar's killing
- Wawrinka, 39, ousts top seed Rublev to reach Stockholm semis
- Harris, Trump descend on Michigan amid blockbuster early voting
- West Indies' Dottin restricts New Zealand to 128-9 in World Cup semi
- Sinwar's killing boosts Netanyahu but still no sign of war ending
- High court throws Kenya deputy president replacement into disarray
- Father of One Direction star Payne arrives in Argentina
- Guardiola says 'part of me will leave' when Begiristain quits Man City
- 'Timebomb' ship highlights hazard of dangerous cargoes
- France charges SUV driver with murder for running over cyclist
- Ex-Fulham Ladies captain Ronnie Gibbons 'groped' by Al-Fayed
- Italy judges reject first migrant detentions in Albania
- What next for Hamas after Sinwar's killing?
- Postecoglou urges inconsistent Spurs to change perceptions
- UN force says 'widespread destruction' in south Lebanon
- New Zealand on America's Cup cusp after double triumph
- New Zealand's Ravindra makes father proud with 'special' Test ton
- Stock markets mixed as investors weigh earnings, China GDP
- Ten Hag slams 'fairy tales and lies' as Man Utd boss comes out fighting
- Hamas mourns Sinwar, vows no hostage release until war ends
- Forest boss Nuno hit with three-game ban
- 'The killings continue': Sinwar death brings no respite for Gazans
- Gaza 'hell on Earth' for one million children: UN
- Maresca 'very happy' with start of Chelsea career
- New Zealand extends America's Cup lead on Britain
- England boss Tuchel deserves unconditional support: Guardiola
- P&G profits dip, says China recovery will take time
- India fight back after Ravindra ton cements New Zealand lead
- US regulator probes Tesla's self-driving mode after crashes
- Four-month-old baby dies as migrant boat sinks off France
- Kenya parliament backs Ruto's nominated new deputy
- Israel strikes Gaza after killing Hamas chief Sinwar
- Mbappe 'seems unaffected' by rape investigation reports: Ancelotti
- N Korea sending 'large-scale' troop deployment to Russia, Seoul spy agency says
- Global stock markets rise on China hopes
- Lebanon slams 'blatant interference' over remarks attributed to Iran official
- Odegaard nearing Arsenal return, says Arteta
- Women priests secretly ordained in the shadow of the Vatican
- Stellantis workers march in Italy over production slump
- Win over England a 'relief' but doesn't fix Pakistan woes, says Masood
- Howe says he was not contacted by FA over England job
- Biden in Berlin vows no let-up on support for Ukraine
- Meta unveils AI tie-up with horror movie producers
- King Charles arrives in Australia for landmark tour
- Stokes sorry for frustration over dropped catches in England loss
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Comeback king 'Cav' to carry on doing the thing he loves
It has long been a given that Mark Cavendish is the Tour de France's greatest ever sprinter, and when he won a record 35th stage on Wednesday he possibly proved that more to himself than to a long-convinced cycling public.
Now 39 and in his 15th Tour de France, Cavendish has overcome injuries, illnesses and years in the wilderness to shine as brightly as anyone could expect a man of his age to do.
He flew over the finish line way ahead of his rivals in the lush Rhone valley on stage five on Wednesday, arms in the air, mouth agape in a victory cry.
"I love it, I love racing the Tour de France," he said post-race.
"It's my job and I'll carry on trying to win more and keeping on enjoying it," he added.
Long before his stunning 2021 Tour de France with his then-mentor Patrick Lefevere, when he won four stages, race director Christian Prudhomme told AFP the British sprinter "has nothing to prove".
Instead Prudhomme said that, in his opinion, Cavendish was the Tour's greatest ever sprinter.
Cavendish in fact had attracted a new generation to the sport with his brash celebrations at the finish line.
The story began with four stage wins on the 2008 Tour de France, which he abandoned on stage 14 to concentrate on his Olympics track bid with the British team.
Working with the Australian lead-out man Mark Renshaw, Cavendish won five more at each of the next three Tours de France with T-Mobile to ensure a horde of British fans tuned in the same way French ones did every day of the 21-day epic.
A switch to the emerging Team Sky was less fruitful, and a change to Belgian outfit Quick-Step between 2013-15 for what he would describe as some of his happiest years.
Once he moved on in 2016 he would fall ill with Epstein Barr virus, which went undiagnosed.
Cavendish's career looked compromised in December 2020: teamless and without a Tour de France win in five years.
He was taken 'home' to Quick-Step by the maverick Belgian Lefevere, whom the Briton has always trusted.
Together they masterminded four stage wins to equal Eddy Merckx's record of 34.
Merckx was better known for winning the Tour itself five times, and Cavendish was never comfortable being compared to his idol.
"I can't be compared to him," he said in 2021. "My wins have all been in sprints.
"Eddy Merckx is the greatest rider of all time, and he will remain so."
Now the British sprinter has surpassed Merckx's record dating back to 1975.
He has become one of cycling's big name stars with a new Netflix series of this Tour dedicated to him in the pipeline.
In Florence, the start city of this Tour, Cavendish suggested he had new horizons and interesting offers to continue in cycling, but off the bike.
But it seems the Isle of Man native's hunger for victory on two wheels remains very much alive.
P.Mathewson--AMWN