Tour de France 2009: Mark Cavendish denies racism claims
Mark Cavendish has hit back at claims that he racially insulted French riders at the Tour de France. I love to come here (France) and I love to come here and race. For sure I'm going to have a go at some lad – because I'm like that," said Cavendish. "But their nationality, and what they look like or where they come from is irrelevant."
Cavendish woke
up on Wednesday to allegations in L'Equipe which cited anonymous French riders saying he had racially insulted them – and that his arrogance was getting on their nerves.
"Cavendish is racist, he's anti-French," said one rider.
But while seemingly admitting that he can be a difficult customer – allegations in the press about his arrogant ways have prompted hot debate in the past – Cavendish refuted allegations that he was a racist.
He added: "I didn't say this. I had to laugh at that article this morning. I would have been nice to have the name of the rider who supposedly said this so that I can go and sort it out.
"I get a little hot-headed sometimes, but it's irrelevant the nationality of the rider when you have a go at someone.
"When you're a rider with a public profile, you can't be friends with everybody, it's going to be like that.
"I take it as a compliment that they're going to try and start trouble about something that's not about bike riding, because they've got nothing to criticise my riding about."
Another claim levelled at Cavendish was his refusal to do his share of the work in the 'grupetto', the slow bunch of non-climbers which usually works together to get through the difficult mountains stages.
On Sunday, Cavendish made sure he will make even fewer friends among his fellow strugglers in the mountains when he said he would continue sitting at the back and not taking his share of the relays.
"I'm just content to stay there," he told French television. "I have to save my energy at certain moments in the race."
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