A "bitterly disappointed" Mark Cavendish has narrowly missed out on a record-breaking Tour de France victory, pipped to the line as Belgium's Jasper Philipsen claimed his third stage win of this year's race.
After a 170-kilometre trek from Mont de Marsan on Friday, Philipsen was again the fastest in the final sprint, although Cavendish almost caught the Alpecin-Deceuninck rider by surprise after launching his effort early.
The British rider, chasing a record 35th stage win at the Tour de France, was ahead with 100 metres to go but was eventually overpowered by Philipsen and had to settle for what might remain the most frustrating runners-up spot of his career.
“I’m bitterly disappointed, really majorly disappointed,” Cavendish (Astana Qazaqstan) said, blaming problems with his gears for missing out on the landmark success.
“I jumped when I wanted to but unfortunately I had a problem with my gears when I was sprinting.
“It went from the 11 to the 12, and I had to sit down to get back to the 11. I stood up and it went back to the 12, so I’m pretty devastated actually.
The boys did a good job. It was one of those situations where it’s not meant to be.”
The 38-year-old Cavendish, back in the world's greatest race after a one-year hiatus, shares the record of stage wins with Belgian great Eddy Merckx, who took his 34 victories between 1969 and 1975.
His next big chance to attack the record in what is likely to be his final Tour de France will most probably come in Wednesday's stage 11.
Eritrea's Biniam Girmay (Intermarche-Circus-Wanty) finished third, with Sam Welsford (Team DSM - Firmenich) the highest-ranking Australian in 13th.
"Cavendish was really strong, I would also love to see him win, like everybody," a jubilant Philipsen said.
"We can be proud of our team achievement. Without them it would never be possible to get this third stage win already.
"If you told me this one week ago, I would think you were crazy. So far, it's a dream for us."
There was no change to the overall standings.
Defending champion Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo Visma), of Denmark, retained the overall leader's yellow jersey, with Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) 25 seconds behind in second.
Australia's Jai Hindley (Bora-Hansgrohe) is third, one minute 34 seconds down, while fellow countryman Ben O'Connor (AG2R Citroen) lies 12th in the general classification.
Saturday's eighth stage is a 200.7km hilly ride from Libourne to Limoges.
- with Reuters
