Mark Cavendish 'upset and angry' after being relegated for 'deviation' on Tour de France stage 12
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider originally finished fifth, before being relegated
![Mark Cavendish on stage 12 of the Tour de France](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rb28iUDBgnYcqhaxVnR2mn-415-80.jpg)
Mark Cavendish was relegated from fifth to 68th place on stage 12 of the Tour de France, after being judged to have deviated from his sprint in the final.
As the race reached 400m to go, the Astana Qazaqstan rider veered over to the left-hand side of the road, before swinging back in. Seconds later, the Manxman was forced to veer again, to avoid a lead-out rider who had stopped pedalling. It is unknown which move cost him, but the race jury judged that Cavendish had fallen foul of UCI Article 2.12.007-5.1 - "deviation from the chosen line that obstructs or endangers another rider or irregular sprint".
While Biniam Girmay (Intermarché-Wanty) won his third stage of the race, Cavendish was forced to reflect on a relegation in what is his final Tour de France.
The 39-year-old was also fined 500CHF, as well as losing -13 points in the points classification, and losing out on the points he would have gained for finished fifth.
Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) was also judged to have deviated from his line and relegated, although his transgression was more blatant, almost moving Wout van Aert (Visma-Lease a Bike) into the barriers on the right-hand side.
"We’re obviously pretty disappointed in that sprint because we think it was a solidly earned fifth place from Cavendish today," his sports director, Mark Renshaw, told ITV sport post-stage. "There were a couple of decisions that the commissaires panel has taken in that final, one of them affects us and Cavendish is really upset with this decision, as I am and as are the team, because we thought it was a hard earned fifth place. There’s many reasons for the way he sprinted.
"If we really analyse this move and break down those 50 metres, we can see that Dan McLay (Arkéa-B&B Hotels) is leading out Démare. If you then stack it up against the white line you can see that he’s parallel about .8 of a metre to the right of the white line. He then finishes his lead out and he moves to the left, my estimate is about 1.5 metres he moves to the left and stops pedalling.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I'm sure Thierry Gouvenou (the route designer) said in a meeting the other day that if you’re a lead-out man and you stop pedalling, please keep pedalling. So I think this move by McLay where he stops pedalling probably deserves more of a sanction than what Mark Cavendish deserved. I as a leadout man know that if you stop pedalling in a sprint like this then there will be a reaction.
"The reaction to that move by McLay stopping pedalling was Cav deviating to the left also with [Bryan] Coquard hard on the wheel. I think both riders, Cav and Coquard, had already committed to jumping to the left. So you've got a rider like McLay who stops pedalling at 74kmph, Cav in the same moment has already committed to jumping to the left and that's the reaction to that action."
"He’s really upset and really angry about the decision because he believes it was unfair and an action because of McLay coming back."
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Adam is Cycling Weekly’s news editor – his greatest love is road racing but as long as he is cycling on tarmac, he's happy. Before joining Cycling Weekly he spent two years writing for Procycling, where he interviewed riders and wrote about racing. He's usually out and about on the roads of Bristol and its surrounds. Before cycling took over his professional life, he covered ecclesiastical matters at the world’s largest Anglican newspaper and politics at Business Insider. Don't ask how that is related to cycling.
-
Shimano reports 21% drop in component sales
Another sales fall for the bicycle behemoth as industry urged to 'survive till 25'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'The first time I saw my leg, I fainted in the shower' - British pro on his year-long recovery after being hit by car driver
Tom Gloag had two rounds of knee surgery and spent six weeks in a wheelchair after being 't-boned', but has now won his first professional race
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel in line to race Tour of Britain after Olympics success
Time trial gold medallist could feature for Soudal Quick-Step during six day event in September
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
'A bigger result than winning': Jonas Vingegaard hails second place at the Tour de France
It turns out second place is not always 'first loser'
By James Shrubsall Published
-
'Even if I never come back to the Tour de France I will be satisfied': Tadej Pogačar revels in third victory
Three Tour de France wins before turning 26, the Giro-Tour double, the suggestion of a triple crown. Records tumble for the Slovenian
By Adam Becket Published
-
Remco Evenepoel: No one should doubt me anymore
The Tour de France's third-placed finisher suggests that he will have to reduce his time trial work if he is to beat Tadej Pogačar
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Tadej Pogačar: 'There will always be doubts... but cycling is the cleanest sport'
Tour de France champion addresses critics, saying it would be "super stupid" to dope
By Adam Becket Published