By Alasdair Fotheringham
April 2009 edition

Following four Tour de France stage wins is a tough task, but Mark Cavendish is a tough character. CS talks to the world’s fastest sprinter about regret, perfection and the green jersey

It was one of the images that defined cycling in 2008: Mark Cavendish’s blue-clad right arm stretched out before him, his mouth wide open in a roar of joy. The taste of victory has rarely looked so sweet. And it might be one of those images that defines cycling in 2009: Mark Cavendish’s green-clad arms raised aloft on the final podium of the Champs-Elysées this July.

Ambition and talent has driven Cavendish from the surprise success of 2007 to confirmation as the fastest sprinter in the world in 2008. At the same time we’ve grown dangerously accustomed to seeing him winning — so far, on the road, a total of 28 times.

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