Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Monday, 2 July 2012

2012 Tour de France: Brilliant win by Mark Cavendish takes him to 21 in total



Mark Cavendish once again showed in Tournai that he doesn't need a big train to get stage wins. He stayed hidden until some 150-200 metres from the finish having latched onto Griepel's wheel. Then launched himself to win by half a wheel. Once again Mark proved that he has the temperament for the big race. 

In an interview immediately after his win Mark described himself as a 'bonus rider' in Team Sky so there 'was no pressure on him'. Some bonus rider! 

This win takes Mark Cavendish's overall Tour de France stage wins to an amazing 21 – now a clear sixth in the list.  Previously he was tied on 20 with Nicolas Frantz – only one less victory less than Lance Armstong and André Darrigade, a French sprinter. Another 13 stage wins will take him equal to the great Eddy Merckx. 

As expected Fabian Cancellara keeps the Yellow Jersey, while Peter Sagan, who finished sixth, takes over the Green jersey with 78 points but with Cavendish now up into second spot with 63 points. Tomorrow's lumpy stage finish, however, is more likely to suit Sagan than Mark.  

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