Mark Cavendish has equalled the legendary Eddy Merckx’s record of stage victories in the Tour de France.

The Manx Missile pulled off the simply staggering achievement by claiming his fourth win of this year’s edition in Carcassonne on Friday afternoon.

Many thought Merckx’s 46-year-old record would never be matched. Many thought Cav’s TdF career was over - indeed he himself hinted at retirement last October.

But a last-minute selection by Deceuninck-QuickStep for this year’s race and return to form has seen the 36-year-old Manxman produce a fairytale comeback on the biggest stage in cycling.

One stage win would have been excellent - and he claimed that on day four in Fougères - but he then proceeded to clinch further victories on stages six and 10 to put himself within touching distance of the record haul of 34 wins.

And even a frenetic bunch sprint into the medieval town of Carcassonne in southern France could not deny Cav who benefited from another impressive leadout by his team-mates before surging to the line and claiming his record-equalling victory.

Such was QuickStep’s performance that team-mate Michael Mørkøv crossed the line in second ahead of Jasper Philipsen as Cav increased his lead in the points classification to more than 100 points.

The Tour now heads to the Pyrenees for several gruelling stages over the next week before the race finishes in Paris on Sunday, July 18 when he will aim to surpass Merckx’s lead on the iconic Champs-Élysées.

Full reaction and photographs in next week’s Isle of Man Examiner, on sale Tuesday morning.