LONDON — Britain’s sprint king Mark Cavendish announced that he will end his 17-year career as a professional cyclist at the conclusion of the season.
During his illustrious career Cavendish racked up 161 victories, including 34 at the Tour de France to equal the record of Belgian great Eddy Merckx.
Cavendish made the announcement during a press conference organised by his Astana-Qazagstan team during the rest day at the Giro d’Italia in Coccaglio, a day after his 38th birthday.
Cavendish said: “I’ve absolutely loved racing every kilometre of this race so far, so I feel it’s the perfect time to say it’s my final Giro d’Italia and 2023 will be my final season as a professional cyclist.”
His explosive ability to win bunch sprints earned Isle of Man native Cavendish the nickname the Manx Missile.
During his career he has a total of 53 Grand Tour stage wins and won the road world title in 2011.
He also won an individual silver medal on the track at the 2016 Rio Olympics and claimed three career world titles on the track in the Madison discipline.
Cavendish enjoyed a remarkable return to form in 2021 after significant cycling injuries and illness, matching Merckx’s record by winning stage 13 of the Tour de France, his fourth victory in that year’s edition.
In 2021, he tasted victory for the first time in more than three years when he headed a bunch sprint across the line at the Tour of Turkey, the first of four stage wins at the race.
Welsh cyclist Geraint Thomas has paid tribute to Cavendish – his friend and former teammate – after the Manxman announced he would retire from professional cycling at the end of the current season.
Speaking to the media, Thomas revealed that Cavendish had told him of his plans to retire before the race had got underway.
“I didn’t really believe him,” Thomas said. “I kind of thought he’d always keep going. He’s had an incredible career and obviously, he’s still racing now.
“He’s still got to get this record at the Tour and hopefully win a stage here [at the Giro]. I think we’ve known each other for about 25 years which is crazy. Thymen [Arensman], my teammate, is 23 so that kind of puts into perspective how old we are really.”
Thomas was part of the Great Britain team when Cavendish won the 2011 World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark and highlighted that particular race as a key moment in the years spent racing together.
“It’s an unbelievable career that he’s had, and I’m really proud to have been a teammate of his for a long time, helping him win the Worlds and that was great,” he added.
“He’s the greatest sprinter of all time really when you see his record. It’s been an honour to ride with him. We’ve raced as under 23s and juniors all over the world and got a lot of experience together.”
“It’s kind of strange to see him retire actually, as it means I’m going to be soon as well. It’s a funny one, as you kind of think you’ll just always keep racing your bike but really you know you’re not.”
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