Mark Cavendish sprinted to third place in his opening race of the 2024 cycling season. 

The Manx Missile is now in his final year as a professional cyclist, having signed an extension to his contract with Astana Qazaqstan as he bids for a record-breaking 35th stage win at this year’s Tour de France.  

Cav began this week’s Tour Colombia with a podium finish after claiming third place in a bunch sprint at the end of the opening 155.8km stage from Paipa to Duitama. 

More in this week’s Manx Independent, on sale Thursday.