Astana Qazaqstan Team rider Mark Cavendish secured a historic victory by winning his record 35th stage of the Tour de France. This monumental achievement has set a new benchmark in the world of cycling, marking a momentous occasion for both Cavendish and his team.
“It’s hard to fully grasp this success, but we worked towards it, and as a team, we did everything possible to make it happen. We have an incredible team, and I have amazing teammates,” said Cavendish. “Throughout not just this Tour de France but all this time, I felt immense support from the entire team, and today we have the moment to celebrate this success together. I am very happy to be part of Astana Qazaqstan Team, where I found friends and, essentially, an incredible family.”
The victory was a testament to the collective effort and unwavering belief within the team. “Today, the team was magnificent, everything was done perfectly, and I managed to win. I believed in success, but the main thing is that the team believed in success, we were on the same wavelength and had a common goal. I received maximum support, and we purposefully worked towards the goal we achieved today,” Cavendish added, reflecting on the unity and determination that led to this historic win.
Alexandr Vinokurov, General Manager of Astana Qazaqstan Team, shared his pride in the team’s accomplishment. “For our team, this is a great success, a historic achievement that will remain in cycling forever. Few believed that we would succeed, that Mark’s arrival in Astana Qazaqstan Team would change history, but we believed and did everything to make today’s victory happen,” Vinokurov stated. He emphasized the significance of perseverance and preparation, highlighting the challenges they faced last year and the efforts that led to their current success.
The journey to this victory was not without its hurdles. “We were close to this last year, but fate had other plans. I believe that real champions should not end their careers after a fall and injury, and I am happy that Mark decided to do another season in the end. This year, we were able to prepare better, create all the necessary conditions to approach the Tour de France as best as possible,” Vinokurov continued. With this triumph, the team is motivated to maintain their momentum and continue striving for excellence in the remaining stages of the race.
In conclusion, Vinokurov expressed his gratitude and optimism for the future. “The whole team believed in success, and everyone contributed a bit of their effort so that today we could celebrate success. I congratulate the entire Astana project on this historic achievement. But we are not going to stop; only five stages have passed, and most of the race is still ahead. We are ready, and we will continue to fight in each subsequent stage,” he declared. The Astana Qazaqstan Team, buoyed by this remarkable victory, is set to tackle the remaining stages of the Tour de France with renewed vigor and confidence.