Cavendish beats Groenewegen in Hungary and sends a signal towards the Tour | Cycling

Cavendish was well dropped in the finish town of Kazincbarcika by his Astana teammates, including the Dutchman Cees Bol. The 38-year-old Briton then finished it off convincingly. Groenewegen was half a bike length short and came second. Behind him, Spaniard Jon Aberasturi sprinted to third place.

For Cavendish, this season is all about one thing: a stage win in the Tour de France. The former world champion already has 34 day victories in the French cycling tour to his name. With number 35 he would leave fellow record holder Eddy Merckx behind him for good.

Cavendish actually wanted to say goodbye to last season, but he had to give up the Tour after a fall and decided to stick with it for another year. With his victory in Hungary he shows that he still has to be taken into account. Earlier this year ‘Cav’ was already the best in the Tour of Colombia.

Martin Voltr won the leader’s jersey in the Tour of Hungary, which lasts until Sunday, thanks to bonus seconds. The Czech is a teammate of Peter Sagan at Pierre Baguette Cycling. The three-time world champion from Slovakia is making a – probably short-lived – comeback in Hungary.

Racing was also held in Belgium on Thursday. Arnaud De Lie was the best in Circuit de Wallonie. The Walloon top talent of Lotto Dstny struggled with Lyme disease earlier this year, but has already recorded three victories since his return at the end of April.