Icon of world cycling and Peter Sagan’s long-time rival in battles for stage laurels, Mark Cavendish admitted on Instagram that Sunday’s Tour de France Singapore Criterium event will be the last race in his rich career.
Photo: ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Fotoreporter Sirotti Stefano
Mark Cavendish in the jersey of the Astana team.
In his statement on the social network, he said: “Sunday will be the last start of my professional cycling career. I’ve been lucky enough to do what I love for almost 20 years and now I can say I’ve achieved everything I could on the bike,” said Cavendish.
He repeated that he loves the sport to which he has sacrificed decades of his life. “I’ve always wanted to make a difference in it and now I’m ready to see what the next chapter has in store for me. Thank you all for your support.”
In July, Cavendish broke the all-time record for most stage wins at the Tour de France, claiming his 35th triumph at the world’s most prestigious event. It took him three years to get one victory ahead of the legendary Eddy Merckx.
The legendary sprinter nicknamed the Manx Missile originally planned to retire from sports last year. But after an accident and injury at the 2023 Tour de France, he decided to get back on the bike for one last attempt at breaking the aforementioned record.
Cavendish won his first stage of the Tour de France back in 2008 and has been one of the best riders in world cycling ever since.
After being diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis in 2018, the cycling star had a tough few years. He was not selected for the Tour de France team several times until his phenomenal comeback. In 2021, he scored four stage laurels and won the green jersey for the winner of the points competition.
He was knighted earlier this year. And Cavendish is already looking to the future and what he will do after he retires from racing.
Speaking to Men’s Health, he said: “But for me it’s not about stopping, it’s about starting something new. I will always ride a bike, but for the last few years I know what I want to do next. That’s why I set the wheels in motion and I want to stay in sports management,” said the British cyclist.
Source: sportweb.pravda.sk
