Mark Cavendish’s record played a decisive role in Athens.

Mark Cavendish knew that this tour was his last chance to overcome record Eddie Merck. This time there will be no more year, no more delayed withdrawal. At 39, it was now or never. And he did it. A process that began in December and had an important moment in February, at the Tour of Colombia, although Mark arrived a few weeks early to adapt “and suffer” at altitude, he said. He added a win in a new country, his 20th to date. Then, in May, he added 21st place in Hungary, and the next challenge was France, this time against the world’s best sprinters.

As became known, an important part preparations for this tour it was in Greecespecifically in Athens. Vasilis Anastopoulos, the British coach, plays a major role in the Tour record holder. In previous weeks achieve Florence and surrounding area Where rowing at the Olympic Games in the Greek capital in 2004, Mark did it for more than a week long runs 600-800 metersmaximum effort, even with vomiting, to see your limit. the goal has been achieved After 5.40pm on 3 July in St Woolbas it was all worth it.

Follow the Diario AS channel on WhatsApp, where you will find everything about sports in one space: daily news, an agenda with the latest news about the most important sports events, the most striking images, the opinion of the best AS firms, reports, videos and a little humor from time to time.