Mark Cavendish: Briton says Tour de France 'likely' to be his last ever race

Renowned British cyclist Mark Cavendish believes that the Tour de France he just competed in may have been his final race.

The fast runner achieved a historic victory by winning his 35th stage of the Tour de France in the opening week of this year's race. This accomplishment puts him ahead of the previous record held by Belgian cyclist Eddy Merckx, which he had matched in 2021.

He was originally planning to retire after his 14th Tour last year, but he changed his mind and decided to continue cycling. He has signed a new contract with the Astana-Qazaqstan Team that will keep him riding until 2024.

After completing this year's Tour, Cavendish was asked if he had competed in his last race, to which he responded "most likely, yes."

The 39-year-old cyclist is considered the top sprinter in the Tour de France and has claimed victory in the green points classification jersey two times, once in 2011 and again in 2021.

"I feel grateful for the opportunities in my career," Cavendish said during an interview with ITV4.

Cavendish was worried that his career might be finished, and he struggled with sickness, injuries, and depression, which all impacted his inability to win any races in 2019 and 2020.

Not included in the 2022 Tour and appeared to be without a contract at the end of that year. However, he signed with Astana at the eleventh hour for the 2023 season.

Following a crash that ended his race on stage eight of the 2023 Tour, the 'Manx Missile' decided to continue racing for another season. He went on to achieve a historic win on stage five.

After facing many difficult days in the mountains, he managed to finish the race in Nice last Sunday.

Cavendish has achieved a remarkable feat by winning four consecutive times on the famous Champs-Elysees in Paris, which has been the finish line for the Tour de France since 1975.

However, as Paris gets ready for the Olympics, Cavendish completed the race this year with a time trial in Nice. He had the opportunity to show his appreciation to the audience there.

Cavendish mentioned that it was a pleasant experience to see his family waiting for him at the finish line. He felt no stress and was able to simply savor the moment.

Many may admire the achievement, but few truly understand the hard work and sacrifice that goes into it. This experience has helped me learn more about myself and also how to be a better father.

"That's the foremost lesson I glean from this sport."

Cavendish, who claimed his first victory in a Tour de France stage back in 2008, has had a successful career as a sprinter. He has had many wins on the straighter and quicker stages of races, especially in the Grand Tours.

He has achieved victory in 165 races starting from 2005 and has also secured the top spot in the points classification at all three Grand Tours.

Additional accomplishments by Cavendish include winning a silver medal in the omnium at the 2016 Rio Olympics, earning the Road World Championships rainbow jersey in 2011, claiming victory at the prestigious Milan-San Remo one-day classic in 2009, securing 17 stage wins in the Giro d'Italia, and achieving three stage wins in the Vuelta a Espana.

He also earned three world track championships in the madison event and a gold medal in the scratch race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, competing for the Isle of Man.

After not winning at the Tour since 2018, Cavendish initially suggested he might retire at the end of the 2020 season. However, he made a comeback in the following year, winning four Tour stages and the green jersey while riding with the successful Quick-Step team for the second time.

Cavendish and his family were targets of a brutal burglary at their residence in 2021.

After facing many obstacles, he managed to outdo Merckx by speeding past his competitors with an impressive sprint in Saint Vulbas.

Responding to Cavendish's incredible victory, Geraint Thomas, a close friend and former colleague, expressed his excitement by stating: "I can't believe it, I'm thrilled for him. It's wonderful that he now holds the record on his own without having to share it with anyone else."

Even though Cavendish didn't come out on top in any more stages, he managed to keep up with the pace in the tough mountain stages and finish the Tour for the eighth time in his 15 appearances.

"You will always be remembered as the best ever," stated Sir Bradley Wiggins, who won the Tour in 2012 and is a five-time Olympic champion, in a video message to Cavendish.

There are only a few GOATs out there, but you are definitely one of them. I am thrilled for you and your family.

Four-time champion of the Tour de France, Chris Froome, said: "Well done on a fantastic career, you have motivated countless individuals, myself included."