Sir Mark Cavendish has hinted that his racing profession may not be over but, regardless of it beforehand being understood that 2024 can be his final yr within the skilled peloton.
The 39-year-old broke the Tour de France stage win file in July, together with his thirty fifth victory on the French Grand Tour, and was considered retiring on the finish of the yr. If that was the case, his final race can be the Tour de France Singapore Criterium in November.
After ending the Tour in Good, the Astana-Qazaqstan rider advised reporters that it was “seemingly” his final ever skilled bike race, although he later sidestepped the same query.
Talking to ITV Sport on the Tour of Britain Males, the place he was honoured with a particular podium presentation in Felixstowe on Sunday, Cavendish mentioned he did not know what was taking place subsequent. Requested if he’d be seen on the race subsequent yr, he replied: “Maybe, I don’t know.”
Tour of Britain race director Rod Ellingworth beforehand advised Biking Weekly that he can be “completely open” to the opportunity of Cavendish being a part of the stage race this yr.
“I’m nonetheless racing in a few months,” Cavendish mentioned on Sunday. “I’m undoubtedly not completed this yr. I don’t know what occurs after. I do know I gained’t be doing the Tour de France once more. I mentioned that earlier than the Tour, I mentioned it after the Tour. I’m taking good care of my household, I’m chilling, I’ve really taken break day earlier than getting on the bike once more, I’m coaching once more now. I’ve had time to course of it and [we’ll] see what occurs sooner or later.”
After finishing his closing Tour, Cavendish hinted {that a} snap retirement determination was more likely to observe. He had already delayed retirement from the game with a purpose to experience on for yet one more yr to focus on a thirty fifth win on the Tour, a purpose that he has now achieved. It’s thought that Astana-Qazaqstan are eager for the Manxman to stay in some function on the group, which will probably be gaining funding from Chinese language agency XDS subsequent season, but it surely was presumed that that may not be in a racing capability.
Cavendish, who was knighted earlier this yr, advised reporters post-Tour: “I’ve been very, very fortunate to have the profession I’ve had, to work with individuals I’ve had, to fulfill the individuals I’ve, and to have been capable of reside a dream, everybody’s dream.
“You see the successes, the pictures and movies of wins, but it surely’s very uncommon that individuals see the whole lot that goes on behind, the whole lot that makes that. It [cycling] has taught me quite a bit about myself, find out how to be a father, and that’s the largest factor I’ll take from the game.”
