French town becomes Cavendish City to mark cyclist's Tour hat-trick

A French town has renamed itself after Sir Mark Cavendish to commemorate him winning three of his record-breaking 35 Tour de France stage wins there.

Châteauroux was where the Manx Missile claimed his first win in the world's most famous cycling race in 2008 - he went on to claim victories there in 2011 and 2021.

Now, it's renamed itself Cavendish City.

The town's mayor, Gil Avérvous, posted a photo on Twitter of a new sign carrying the name under the official city limits sign.

?? @Chateauroux36 laisse place à @MarkCavendish City ! ??????

3 victoires d'étape du #TourDeFrance à Châteauroux… Ça méritait bien un clin d'œil ! ????#TDF2025 ?? pic.twitter.com/lcrTWVQng2

— Gil Avérous (@GilAverous) June 30, 2025