Mark at the front of the Peloton at the start of Stage 1 in Sacramento.

Mark near the front of the Peloton on one of the circuits around the Capitol in Sacramento at the end of Stage 1.

Mark near the front of the Peloton on one of the circuits around the Capitol in Sacramento at the end of Stage 1.

Mark fighting for the win in the sprint to the Finish of Stage 1.

Mark taking the Awards stage as the leader of the Tour afte Stage 1.

Mark being rewarded for taking the lead.

Mark being congratulated for winning Stage 1 in Sacramento.

Mark on the Podium for winning Stage 1 in Sacramento.

Mark receiving the Sprint Jersey for taking the points lead after Stage 1.

Mark in the lineup of Jersey winners after Stage 1.

Mark in the lineup of Jersey winners after Stage 1.

Mark being interviewed after the Awards ceremonoy for taking the lead in the Tour.

Mark at the Stage 1 press conference after the Awards.

Mark answering a question at the Stage 1 press conference.

Mark in the Stage 2 Folsom Time Trial. He placed 27th, 2:08 afte the winner.

Mark in the Stage 2 Folsom Time Trial. He placed 27th, 2:08 afte the winner.

Mark in the Stage 2 Folsom Time Trial. He placed 27th, 2:08 afte the winner.

Mark in the Peloton at the begining of the climb up Mount Hamilton near the start of Stage 3, San Jose to Mount Diablo.

Mark just behind Bradley Wiggins near the front of the Peloton as they cross Bixby Bridge in Stage 4, Monterey to Cambria.

Mark just behind Bradley Wiggins near the front of the Peloton as they cross Bixby Bridge in Stage 4, Monterey to Cambria.

Mark just behind Bradley Wiggins near the front of the Peloton as they cross Bixby Bridge in Stage 4, Monterey to Cambria.

Mark winning the Peloton's sprint to the Finish line in Cambria in Stage 4. The Stage had been won by a successful Breakaway.

Mark after the finish of Stage 4 in Cambria at the front of the Peloton.

Mark in the lineup of premier Racers just before the start of Stage 5, Pismo Beach to Santa Barbara.

Mark talking to Bradley Wiggins before the start of Stage 5 in Pismo Beach.

Mark talking to Bradley Wiggins before the start of Stage 5 in Pismo Beach.

Mark at the front of the Peloton at the start of Stage 5 in Pismo Beach.

Mark in the Peloton about 11.4 miles, 18.2 kiolometers, into Stage 7, Santa Clarita to Pasadena.

Mark in the lead for the sprint to the Finish of Stage 8 in Thousand Oaks.

Mark in the lead for the sprint to the Finish of Stage 8 in Thousand Oaks.

Mark just after winning Stage 8 in Thosand Oaks.

Mark taking the Awards stage for winning Stage 8 in Thousand Oaks.

Mark on the Podium for winning Stage 8 in Thousand Oaks.

Mark receiving champaign to celebrate his win.

Mark on the Podium celebrating his win of Stage 8 in Thousand Oaks.

Mark on the Podium celebrating his win of Stage 8.

Mark receiving the Leaders Jersey for taking the lead in the Tour

The winners of Stage 1 (left to right), Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) second place, Mark first place, Jean-Pierre Drucker (BMC Racing Team) third place

The Jersey wearers after Stage 1 (left to right), William Clarke (Drapac Professional Cycling) in the King of the Mountain Jersey and holding the Most Courageous Rider Jersey, Mark Cavendish in the Leaders Jersey and holding the Points (Sprint) Jersey, Zico Waeytens (Team Giant - Alpecin) in the Best Young Rider Jersey

Mark, in the Leaders Jersey, racing Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo), in the King of the Mountain Jersey, for the win of Stage 2

Mark receiving the Leaders Jersey for retaining the overall lead

The winners of Stage 2; Mark in first place, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) second, Wouter Wippert (Drapac Professional Cycling) third

The Jersey holders after Stage 2; Robin Carpenter (Hincapie Racing Team) in the King of the Mountain Jersey and holding the Best Young Rider Jersey, Mark in the Leaders Jersey and holding the Points (Sprint) Jersey, Markel Irizar Aranburu (Trek Factory Racing) in the Most Courageous Rider Jersey

Mark in the Leaders Jersey being interviewed before Stage 3

The winners of Stage 4 (left to right), Wouter Wippert (Drapac Professional Cycling) second, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) first, Mark Cavendish (Etixx - Quick-Steo) third

Mark Cavendish in the Sprinters Jersey being interviewed before Stage 5

Mark winning Stage 5 in a cold and wet mass sprint

The winners of Stage 5; Mark in first, Zico Waeytens (Team Giant - Alpecin) second, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) third

Mark at the front of the sprinters about to win Stage 8

Mark being presented as the Winner of Stage 8

Mark receiving the spoils of victory for winning Stage 8

The Stage 8 winners (left to right); Wouter Wippert (Drapac Professional Cycling) second, Mark in first, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) third

Mark winner of the overall Points (Sprint) Award Award

The overall Jersey Winners (left to right); Julian Alaphillipe (Etixx - Quick-Step) Best Young Rider, Daniel Oss (BMC Racing) King of the Mountain, Peter Sagan (Tinkoff - Saxo) Champion, Mark winner of the Points (Sprint), Oscar Clark (Hincapie Racing Team) Most Courageous Rider

The Jersey wearers after Stage 4 (l-r); Mark in the Most Courageous Rider Jersey; Evan Huffman, Rally Cycling Team, King of the Mountain Jersey; Neilson Powless, Axeon Hagens Berman, Best Young Rider Jersey; Julian Alaphilippe, Etixx - Quick-Step, Leaders Jersey; and Peter Sagan, Tinkoff, in the Points (Sprint) Jersey

Marc winning Stage 8 with Peter Sagan, Tinkoff, coming in second

Marc receiving the spoils of victory for winning Stage 8

The winners podium for Stage 8, Marc in first, Peter Sagan, Tinkoff, second, and Alexander Kristoff, Team Katusha, third