Mark Cavendish vomits and is aided by team-mates during first day of the Tour de France as the Manx Missile battles sickness in blistering Italian heat

Sir Mark Cavendish struggled with sickness in the heat of the first stage of the Tour de France as the British cycling icon was caught in worrying circumstances.

The 39-year-old is bidding to win a record-breaking 35th stage at the Tour with team Astana-Qazaqstan but couldn't cope with the conditions on the opening day of the extreme-distance race.

Cavendish -nicknamed the Manx Missile - is a specialised sprinter and typically takes a spot amongst the back-markers on hill climb stages as was the Tour's first stage, a 206km trail between Florence and Rimini.

Temperatures climbed to 35 degrees in the region of Italy on Saturday and Cavendish was amongst the riders that appeared to be caught out by the blazing heat.

Team-mates of the former Team GB star were seen pouring water and stuffing ice down Cavendish's thin lycra attire in a bid to keep him down during a testing first climb of the afternoon.

Cavendish quickly lost over three minutes on the breakaway main peloton during the first uphill challenge as riders left the Italian city of Florence and out over Tuscany.

First signs of struggle started to appear as Cavendish quickly lost place as the ascent quickly gained steepness and his legs began to fade during the battle.

Fluids were taken onboard to aid the struggling rider, but concerns were raised when he threw up during one moment of a rare downhill section.

Cavendish - not wanting to sacrifice any more time - continued to ride on during the brief interruption as he attempted to still make the time cut.

Team-mates were quick to rally around him and offer support by pouring water on Cavendish's head during intervals, and also stuffing cooling ice down his top.

The Manxman is competing in his final edition of the competition after previously intending to retire last year but later delaying that decision after being injured on the Tour in 2023.

Speaking ahead of the first stage getting underway, he said: 'I love this sport. I've loved everything about the sport, especially this race. It's quite beautiful this year with the start in Florence, near where I lived for 10 years.

'Starting here, then going to France is just perfect. I've got a job to do but on an emotional level, it's very, very nice. 

'I couldn't have asked for anything more. I think I'm more ready now [for retirement] than I was last year. I'm happy but I'm also so happy I carried on.