Mark Cavendish has confirmed that he will call time on his glittering cycling career at the end of the season. The announcement came on the final rest day at the Giro D’Italia, with the 38-year-old telling reporters: “I’ve lived an absolute dream.”
Throughout his career Cavendish was known as the “Manx Missile” because of the way he finished in high-speed sprints. His power and fearlessness has brought him 161 victories since 2005, as well as two green Tour de France points jerseys, a Rio 2016 Olympic silver omnium medal and the 2011 road world championship rainbow jersey.
Cavendish refused to be drawn on where his final race would be. But surrounded by his wife Peta and family, he said: “This is a perfect opportunity to say with absolute joy in my heart that this will be my final season as a professional cyclist. When you understand it’s not forever, it’s easier to enjoy every feeling this sport has to offer.”
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Cavendish also confirmed he would be heading to the Tour de France with his team Astana Qazaqstan this summer. But while he shares the record of 34 stage victories in the race with Eddy Merckx, he insisted that beating the record was not the sole priority before he officially retires.
“If I was on 45 wins on the Tour de France, I’d still be going to the Tour de France to win,” he said. “If I was on 18, I’d be looking for 19.”
The Manxman, who celebrated his 38th birthday on Sunday, admitted it was the right time to call it a day. “Like many others I’ve been struggling with sickness during the race as well as the effects of some unfortunate crashes,” he said. “To get me through, I can’t thank this group of friends enough.
“ Cycling has been my life for over 25 years and the bike has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet some incredible people. It’s taught me so much about life – dedication, loyalty, companionship, teamwork, sacrifice, humility and perseverance – all things that now, as a father, I can show my children.
“Today is my son Casper’s fifth birthday, fortunately it’s a rest day and I can spend his birthday with him. I think it’s important now that I can be there for every birthday for my wife Peta and all our children.
“It’s important I can see all their school concerts and support them in their sporting competitions and it’s important I can run around with them without fear of injury or getting sick.”
British Cycling’s performance director, Stephen Park, paid tribute to Cavendish for what he called “a truly outstanding career”.
Park said: “Cav is without doubt the sport’s greatest sprinter and will be remembered by fans across the world for his 53 Grand Tour stage wins, and I’m sure that we will all be cheering him on as he looks to add to that total in his final months of racing.”
