Mark Cavendish moves to within one win of Eddy Merckx’s Tour de France record

Cavendish’s third victory of this year’s Tour leaves him one win away from Eddy Merckx’s all-time record

Mark Cavendish celebrated a 33rd career Tour stage win in Albertville (Daniel Cole/AP)

Mark Cavendish is on the verge of making yet more Tour de France history after winning his 33rd career stage in Valence.

The Manxman has long brushed off questions about Eddy Merckx’s all-time record of 34 wins, but will not be able to avoid them much longer after another dominant display both from him and his Deceuninck-QuickStep squad at the end of the 191-kilometre stage 10 from Albertville.