Cavendish’s Tour Record Hopes Brought to an End as Briton Crashes Out

Astana Qazaqstan Team's British rider Mark Cavendish receives medical attention after crashing during the 8th stage of the 110th edition of the Tour de France cycling race, 201 kilometers between Libourne and Limoges, in central western France, on July 8, 2023. Thomas Samson/AFP via Getty Images

LIBOURNE, France—Mark Cavendish’s hopes of breaking the record for stage wins at the Tour de France ended in cruel fashion on Saturday when the Briton crashed out of this year’s race, which he has long said will be his last, and broke his collarbone.

The 38-year-old, who will retire at the end of the year, fell off his bike with 64 kilometers left in the eighth stage won by Dane Mads Pedersen, and was taken into an ambulance for checks before his withdrawal was made official by race organizers.