Renowned cyclist Mark Cavendish, the most successful sprinter in cycling history, will retire tomorrow after racing in the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore.
The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man, who announced in May that this season would be his last, will bow out after a career that has seen him break the record for the most stage wins in the Tour de France with 35 victories.
Cavendish, who won the world title in 2011 and earned an omnium silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, also claimed the green jersey twice at the Tour. His illustrious career, spanning nearly 20 years, includes 165 race wins, including 17 stages in the Giro d’Italia and three in the Vuelta a España.
“I am lucky enough to have done what I love for almost 20 years and I can now say that I have achieved everything that I can on the bike,” said Cavendish, who rides for Astana-Qazaqstan. “Cycling has given me so much, and I love the sport. I’ve always wanted to make a difference in it, and now I am ready to see what the next chapter has in store for me.”
Cavendish had originally planned to retire at the end of the 2023 season but delayed his departure after a crash ended his Tour participation. He surpassed cycling legend Eddy Merckx’s record for Tour stage wins in July, cementing his legacy as one of the sport’s greats.