Mark Cavendish OUT of Tour de France after horror crash in cruel twist in chase for incredible record

MARK CAVENDISH has seen his final Tour De France end in bitter disappointment after crashing out of today’s stage eight.

The rider fell hard after crashing hard in the peloton with 60km remaining on the stage.

AFPCavendish crashed hard on stage eight[/caption]

AFPHis crash initially looked fairly innocuous but it has now ended his tour[/caption]

EurosportCavendish looked emotional as he was helped into an ambulance for medical attention[/caption]

After crashing he was seen gripping his collarbone area and was unable to remount his bike to continue the race.

He was seen looking emotional as he was helped into an ambulance and it soon dawned on him that his final Tour was over.

His team Astana Qazaqstan confirmed the rider’s abandonment.

They said on Twitter: “(Mark Cavendish) crashed 60 km from finish with Pello Bilbao and was forced to abandon. He left the race in the ambulance. Updates will follow as soon as there is more news

Cycling fans were left devastated as it became clear that the legendary British rider’s last act in the Tour de France would be a crash.

One fan wrote: “Absolutely devastated .

“You’re a legend Mark Cavendish ”

Another said: “Such an unfair way to end his Tour De France career.

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A third added: “Cav if that’s how it ends it’s so, so cruel”

While a fourth put: “Nooooooooooooooooo @MarkCavendish, I think the whole of the UK is genuinely gutted for you. HUGS

Just yesterday Cavendish spoke of his frustration in missing out on a record-breaking 35th stage win on the tour.

A gear issue saw him pipped to the yellow jersey by Belgian Jasper Philipsen.

Cavendish holds the joint record for most stage wins with Belgian legend Eddy Merckx with 34.

But it now looks as though he will be stuck on that record as he was set to retire at the end of this year’s Tour de France.

He announced at the Giro D’Italia that this would be his final season in the sport.

Depending on the severity of the injury, this could be the last time cycling fans see Cavendish on a bike as a professional rider.