By the time Mark Cavendish hobbled in front of the cameras, his legs seemed close to deserting him.
His eyes needed wiping and his mouth was hardly working, either.

The 36-year-old huffed and sighed. He was virtually speechless. For everyone else, too, it's hard to know what more there is to say.

Lucky, then, that Friday provided two more words to describe this Manxman: history maker.

After 220 gruelling kilometres between Nimes and Carcassonne, Cavendish did the unthinkable.

He secured a 34th stage win on the Tour de France. He equalled the all-time record of Belgian great Eddy Merckx.

This victory, by the length of a wheel from team-mate and lead out man Michael Morkov, sparked an outpouring of emotion.

Cavendish slumped to the floor before embracing his team-mates.

Eventually he found some words.

‘I can't even think about (the record). I'm afraid I'm so dead after 220km in that heat, that wind and that finale, phwoar,' the 36-year-old said.

‘I went deep, I went so deep there.

The boys were incredible. I can't believe it. A lot of the day it didn't feel like it (was going to happen) but it had to happen because I had the guys riding like they were. I was so on the limit there.'

And no wonder. Remember, Cavendish was only a last minute call-up for this race.

He was never supposed to be on the start line in Brittany, let alone win four of the first 13 stages.

Now, the outright record is within his grasp. If Cavendish can survive the upcoming trip into the Pyrenees, he could well end this Tour out in front.

Just as he did on Friday.

Again his victory was made possible by the brilliance of his Deceuninck-Quick-Step team-mates.

Carcassonne had never seen a sprint finish but a crash around 65km from the line set up a tense finale.

Geraint Thomas was again caught in the collision, while Britain's Simon Yates abandoned the race after several riders fell down a ravine.

Cavendish needed a late bike change but come the finish the Manxman weaved himself into enough space to hold off Jasper Philipsen.

Asked about the record again, he added: ‘I haven't realised it.

It's still just another win on the Tour de France. It's like my first one. I've won a stage of the Tour de France. It's what I dreamed of as a kid and it's what I dream of now.

‘I've worked so hard for it. We've seen such a growth, especially in the UK, of cycling since I've started racing here at the Tour de France.

‘If any one of my wins can inspire the kids to ride the Tour de France or SEO Power the Tour de France Femmes from next year when they grow up, that's what means the most to me I think.'

Before then, he should have a couple of chances to secure the outright record - provided he survives the mountain climbs.

First on stage 19 into Libourne and then on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, where Cavendish has won four times already.

Friday's historic win also strengthened his grip on the green jersey - he leads by more than 100 points from Michael Matthews - while defending champion Tadej Pogacar remains in the yellow jersey.