Cavendish equalled Merckx’s record of 34 stage wins after claiming a bunch sprint finish on Stage 13 in Carcassonne, capitalising on yet another superb lead-out from teammate Michael Morkov.
It was a historic moment for the 36-year-old, who is in the midst of an incredible comeback, and McEwen delved into the details behind the record-equalling finish.
"Michael Morkov, he was watching everything as he always does; he doesn't miss a beat," McEwen said.
"Cavendish is in his (teammate Morkov’s) wheel, Danny van Poppel (is) back here, (and) Jasper Philipsen, he is tracking Mark Cavendish.
"As we roll on, pretty quickly, [Ivan] Garcia Cortina’s across the gap to the fading [Davide] Ballerini, up and over the top, and then Michael Morkov starts to pull everything into line.
"He sees the danger; he’s got Garcia Cortina covered and Cavendish is waiting in the wheel – he wants the shortest sprint possible.
"Back here is Jasper Philipsen, and look where he is in terms of the back wheel of Mark Cavendish, he’s already starting to make his run out to the side.
"He was too late a few days ago in Valence. This time, he wants to make sure he’s got time to pass the Manx Missile.
"But in turn, Cavendish is waiting and ready for someone coming from behind; he’s waiting to make his run.
"And as we roll on, you see Morkov comes into the slipstream, up and over Cortina, Cavendish is still in the wheel and Jasper Philipsen, he’s already out here; he’s moving out to the right to make the pass.
"But Cavendish, he’s already seen (him); peripheral vision, he sees the wheel coming at him, he knows now is the time to step out and force Jasper Philipsen to go the long way around.
"In the end, his biggest opponent for the stage win is actually going to be his own teammate, Michael Morkov – he finishes in second.
"But 34 beckons, it’s a huge record in cycling, so Cav, he gets things wound up and as Philipsen goes out to the right, he doesn’t get past the back wheel of Cavendish, and then – five metres out – he passes his own teammate.”
The Tour de France continues tonight with Stage 14 and you can catch all the action on SBS and SBS On Demand at 8:30pm (AEST), with the SKODA Tour Tracker app commencing from 8:15pm (AEST).
