Cycling veteran Mark Cavendish said Friday he has "nothing to lose" as he targets a record 35th Tour de France stage win to pull clear of Belgian legend Eddy Merckx.

The Manx Missile, who was given a knighthood by King Charles III this month, has 34 Tour stage wins over his career, the same as Merckx.

• Subscribe To FloBikes To Catch All The Best Cycling, News And Highlights
• 2024 Tour de France Jersey Color Guide
• Tour de France 2026 To Start In Barcelona

The 39-year-old Cavendish failed in a similar bid in 2023 when a high speed crash left him crying and stricken on the tarmac, such is the destiny of sprinters, he said at the time.

"I believe I'm in better shape this year than I was last year," Cavendish said in Florence on the eve of Saturday's departure. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't think I could do it."

The aging British sprinter is back at the Tour de France as the subject of his own Netflix documentary on his personal quest for one last stage win before riding off into the sunset.

But the prickly former Sky and Quick Step speed king has proven he can come back from almost anything, including the energy and morale-sapping Epstein-Barr virus.

Merckx won his 34th Tour stage in 1975, a record Cavendish matched in 2021.

"When the opportunity comes, you try and make more history," Cavendish said. "Here, I'm just trying to win more. Look, I don't have anything to lose, and realistically, there are five or six chances for that extra win.

"I know the work that goes into being at the highest level. I'm a realistic person, and we go in with a plan and will set that in motion."

Read More: Tour de France Records - Yellow Jerseys, Stage Wins, Fastest Times & More

Cavendish signed with Team Astana two years ago, and this year, they recruited Denmark's Michael Morkov and Italian Davide Ballerini to launch their sprint legend into his high-speed last-gasp dashes for the line.

"I couldn't ask for more than that," Cavendish said. "It means I don't have any excuses if I don't win."

More than anything, Cavendish already is proud of his longevity in the sport.

"The thing I'm most proud of is the length of my career," said Cavendish, who started with T-Mobile in 2006. "The longer it is, the more ups and downs you have. Fortunately, I have had, mostly, great support."

Cavendish went on to say how happy he was that this Tour was starting near his old home.

"I love this sport and always have, especially this race," he said. "It's beautiful to start in Florence. I lived here 10 years. It's perfect on an emotional level."

Cavendish overcame many obstacles and was without a team in 2021, before his old mentor, Patrick Lefevere, gave him a chance.

He would win four Tour de France stages that year to level Merckx.

"I'm so happy I carried on," said Cavendish, visibly moved.

The pair are back one last time for what Cavendish described as "five or six possible chances."

"Everybody would love to see Mark win a 35th stage, but just don't expect us to give him one," said defending green jersey winner Mads Pedersen.

How To Watch Tour de France 2024 In The United States 

A live broadcast of the 2024 Tour de France will be available on Peacock for those watching from the United States. 

Peacock is the exclusive home of the event in the United States through 2029, with start-to-finish coverage of every stage, though select stages also will air on NBC.

How To Watch Tour de France 2024 In Canada 

FloBikes will provide a live broadcast for Canadian audiences.

Viewers in Canada will be able to watch all 21 stages of the Tour de France 2024 live on FloBikes and the FloSports app.

FloBikes also will provide updates, highlights and behind-the-scenes coverage throughout the entire event for all Flo subscribers. 

Catch All The Best Races, Highlights, Insight, News And More On FloBikes

FloBikes is the streaming home to some of the best cycling from across the globe. Check out the broadcast schedule to watch more of your favorites in action.

FloBikes Archived Footage

Video footage from each event will be archived and stored in a video library for FloBikes subscribers to watch for the duration of their subscriptions.

Join The Conversation On FloBikes Social

• Follow us on Twitter @FloBikes
• Follow us on Instagram @flobikes
• Follow us on TikTok @flobikes
• Watch us on YouTube
• Like us on Facebook