Tour de France 2024: 'Sir Mark Cavendish is the King' – The best ...

It was a moment that transcended cycling in the greatest race of them all and the plaudits have rightly flooded in from those in the cycling community who know all too well the magnitude of his achievement.

Jasper Philipsen, who crossed the line second behind the 'Manx Missile' on a thrilling Stage 5 that came to a climax in the small village of Saint-Vulbas, immediately offered his hand.

Riders from opposition teams also stopped to embrace the 39-year-old, while those from his Astana Qazaqstan team went berserk.

Few stories have thrust cycling into the global spotlight quite like Cavendish’s pursuit of this landmark achievement. The man himself was in “disbelief” in the immediate aftermath and admitted the main feeling felt was “relief” rather than ecstasy.

For this has been a conquest three years in the making, ever since he equalled Merckx’s tally of 34 back in 2021. It appeared over last year when he broke his collarbone on Stage 8 and was forced to withdraw from what he had said would be his last Tour.

Stage 5 Highlights: Cavendish makes history with thrilling sprint win

But he regrouped for one final assault and showed why he will go down as the greatest sprinter of all time.

Geraint Thomas of Ineos Grenadiers, Cavendish’s former team-mate at Team Sky and within the British track cycling set-up, said: “It's unbelievable. Super happy for him. To continue to do what he does at his age – he's 39 and everyone says you get slower as you get older – he's proven that wrong, really.

“It's unbelievable what he does and I'm super happy for him.”

There was a nice moment in the cooldown area as Cavendish asked general classification leader Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) not to beat his record.

“I won’t, no worries,” was the response of Pogacar, who has 12 stage wins to his name.

The Slovenian later added: “It was really good to see Mark win his 35th stage of the Tour, actually it’s unbelievable.”

'It's unbelievable' - Pogacar salutes Cavendish after record win at Tour de France

Philipsen, who was unable to deny Cavendish, wrote on social media: “No win for me today, but Mark Cavendish taking his 35th TDF victory, it is a win for the entire cycling community.

“A huge congratulations to Mark for this achievement, he wrote some cycling history today!”

There were also tributes from a couple of Cavendish’s former rivals.

Marcel Kittel said: “Congrats Mark Cavendish for this incredible sprint to this dominant victory nr 35! Huge respect for you and your teammates! I'm looking forward to the next sprints...”

Peter Sagan added: “Sir Mark Cavendish is the King.”

Pascal Ackermann (Israel – Premier Tech), who inadvertently led Cavendish out to his final sprint, was able to see the funny side.

“You can send the invoice to Cav. A bill like this with six numbers,” he joked afterwards.

Our own Matt Stephens, a former pro cyclist turned Eurosport reporter, was ecstatic to have been there to witness history.

“What a moment for Mark Cavendish in front of his family,” he said. “A privilege to witness and report on his historic moment. Incredible.”

Cavendish in a 'little bit of disbelief' after claiming Tour de France record

Finally, British Cycling was quick to congratulate one its greatest-ever athletes.

“On behalf of British Cycling I would like to congratulate Sir Mark on a truly outstanding achievement,” said Stephen Park, British Cycling's performance director.

“It goes without saying that Mark is one of the greatest British riders of all time, and to cap off his final season of racing with another victory at the sport’s biggest race is a fitting final chapter in a glittering career.”