Mark Cavendish’s bid for Tour de France record put in early jeopardy

Britain's Mark Cavendish greets spectators as he arrives for the team presentation in Florence, Italy, Thursday, June 27, 2024, two days before the start of the Tour de France cycling race. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Mark Cavendish appeared to be ill early on the opening stage of the Tour de France as his pursuit of a record-breaking 35th stage win was put in immediate doubt.

The Manxman was dropped by the peloton on the first of seven categorised climbs on the 206km stage between Florence and Rimini, and appeared to be vomiting as his Astana-Qazaqstan team-mates dropped back and poured water on him in searing heat in Tuscany.