Mark Cavendish is one stage win away from breaking the all-time Tour de France record, but with a weaker sprint field this year and his team's laser focus on the flat stages, he's got a genuine shot. We also dig into nailing your aero position, why athletes from other sports often excel at cycling, and tackle some hilariously practical rider questions—from white leg warmers to the mechanics of taking a wee in bib shorts.
Key Takeaways
- Build your aero position tolerance gradually through micro-intervals—alternate 4 minutes in and 4 minutes out of the position, then extend to 20-minute blocks, combined with 2x weekly strength work focusing on core stability
- Finding a zone 2 training partner requires matching heart rate-to-power ratios rather than absolute heart rate zones; sitting in the wheel of a stronger rider can help bridge fitness gaps without disrupting their effort
- If you're doing long solo rides (3-4+ hours), mental fatigue is real—podcasts, music, or structured breaks help; consider stopping for 20 minutes mid-ride to reset
- White cycling kit is generally unflattering unless you're extremely lean and have a deep tan; use fabric dye in the washing machine to transform white leg warmers into black if needed
- Athletes transitioning from other sports (like Michael Woods from running or Adam Hansen from triathlon) succeed because they already understand discipline, work ethic, and the mindset needed for high-volume training—the physical adaptations follow
- In bib shorts with elasticated straps, simply pull down the front to use the toilet without removing the straps; it's standard practice at races and sportives
Expert Quotes
"He said he can't even tell you the stuff that he's working on but it's stuff that no one else is thinking of. He said Cal is leaving absolutely no stone unturned in pursuit of the record."
"Cav came in so young at HTC and he was winning like every Sprint stage... if Mark Cavendish does win a stage in the tour de France this year which I really hope he does and I think he will, his team is really going to [be] focused—that's their whole focus."
"If you're good at applying yourself to training 30 hours a week in running and you move across to cycling, doesn't really seem like it's going to be that difficult for you to apply yourself 30 hours a week in cycling—it's a skill set you've learned."