Date: Friday, 26 July 2024
Girmay won in Herentals ahead of Cavendish and De Lie. — © BELGA"Beating a legend like Mark Cavendish is always special. He has a record of achievements that are hard to beat. Two years ago I rode my very first criterium here. It was a great experience. Winning today only makes the bond with this city even better."
"Because of the good contacts with the people of the organization, it had been an idea for me for a while to come and ride here again in my last year," Cavendish clearly enjoyed the many encouragements. In 2008, I managed to win here. A long time ago. The fact that I have now achieved the most stage victories in the Tour de France with 35 victories has not changed me as a person."
Cavendish in action in Herentals. — © BELGAOn Wednesday, King Cav fell in the Acht van Chaam. “That fall had no impact on my performance today. It was close, but the best rider won.”
In the Tour Biniam Girmay took 3 victories, in the post-Tour criteriums he was not granted a win until today. In Aalst he came third after Campenaerts and Philipsen, in Roeselare second after Van der Poel and in Chaam second after Mark Cavendish.
The latter was also at the start today in Herentals. Cavendish seemed to be waving goodbye to Flanders, but beforehand he mainly spread mist about his future.
In the final of the post-Tour criterium, the Briton did make it clear: he hasn't lost his good legs yet. Eye-catchers Girmay and De Lie joined the record winner from the Tour to the finish.
And there the green jersey from the last Tour de France showed itself to be the fastest once again. Cavendish rushed to place 2 and so the result of yesterday in Chaam was neatly reversed. Arnaud De Lie was satisfied with place 3.
