Mark Cavendish has hinted that his skilled profession could not but be over and left the door open to him probably returning to the Tour de France in 2025.
The 39-year-old Manxman gained a record-breaking thirty fifth stage victory at this yr’s Tour de France however has advised that he would by no means journey the Tour once more.
Tour de France organiser ASO introduced that the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium on November 10 can be Cavendish’s final race, however the Manxman appeared to recommend he’s having second ideas in the course of the presentation of the 2025 Tour de France route in Paris on Tuesday. It is also a ploy agreed with ASO to boost consideration earlier than he confirms his retirement in Singapore.
“Like everybody who has ridden the Tour de France or the Tour de France Femmes, you end it and also you assume: ‘I am going to by no means do this once more,’ then a few days later, you miss and also you lengthy for the thrill the yr after,” Cavendish stated on stage on the presentation.
When requested how being 40 subsequent July and going for a thirty sixth stage victory computed, Cavendish refused to verify his racing profession – and so his presence on the Tour de France – was over.
“Yeah, we’ll see….” he stated with a smile.
Cavendish has not raced since finishing the 2024 Tour de France in July and solely rode a number of post-Tour criteriums.
The most recent race content material, interviews, options, critiques and knowledgeable shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
The Tour de France criteriums in Saitama, Japan after which Singapore may very well be his final day and supply a becoming Tour de France-themed farewell. But Cavendish nonetheless loves racing and so might determine to race on, simply as he did after he crashed out of the 2023 Tour de France.
Cavendish is predicted to take up some sort of position on the Astana Qazaqstan workforce that has secured new funding from Chinese language carbon fibre producer XDS Carbon-Tech, which has develop into a majority stakeholder and sponsor of the workforce. Group supervisor Alexander Vinokourov has signed 12 riders for 2025 because the workforce tries to attain sufficient rating factors to remain within the WorldTour or a minimum of safe automated invites to the Grand Excursions and WorldTour one-day races.
From now he has been having fun with time together with his household, with out the fixed calls for of life as an expert rider.
“Life has been nice. I have been driving my bike, spending time with my children. I simply have not been shouting at races any extra,” he stated on the Tour de France route presentation.
“I have been travelling and I have been busy. I’ve simply come again from a vacation with my youngsters. It was the primary time I might actually take pleasure in a vacation, which may be very, very good.”
Cavendish and different big-name riders are anticipated to journey to Saitama from Paris. Cyclingnews Australian Editor Simone Giuliani will attend the criteriums to offer information and have interviews from the ultimate occasions of the 2024 season.
