Legendary British cyclist and Olympic hero Mark Cavendish announces retirement from sport at 38
CYCLING legend Mark Cavendish will retire from the sport at the end of the season.
He has won 34 stages at the Tour de France, putting him first on the all-time list tied with Eddy Merckx.
ReutersMark Cavendish will retire at the end of the season[/caption]
Cavendish announced the news during a press conference at the Giro d’Italia, saying: “Cycling has been my life for over 25 years.
“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.
“It’s taught me so much about life, dedication, loyalty, sacrifice and perseverance – all important things to pass on now as a father.”
The 38-year-old has enjoyed an exceptional career, winning 161 races since he began in 2005.
Cavendish has also clinched point classification successes in all three majors, at the Vuelta a Espana in 2010, the Giro d’Italia in 2013, and at two Tour de Frances in both 2013 and 2021.
The sprint specialist’s other big achievements came when he won the world road champion in 2011 and when the Isle of Man-born hero won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics in the omnium
His talents earned him the nickname the Manx Missile.
Cavendish currently represents Astana Qazaqstan.
And he will attempt to break the Tour stage win record at the Quick Step race in Bilbao on July 1.
Cavendish’s retirement comes after a sensational comeback from illness and injury in 2017, hinting at stepping off the bike for good in 2020.
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