'It's not over yet' – Mark Cavendish U-turns on retirement as Tour de France record bid beckons again
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Updated 05/10/2023 at 07:12 GMT
"It's not over yet". Mark Cavendish will have another last hurrah in the pro peloton and go for a record 35th Tour de France stage victory. It appeared Cavendish's career was over after he broke his collarbone at the Tour in July, denying him the opportunity to surpass Eddy Merckx, but rumours quickly circulated that he was considering another year. Now, Cavendish has confirmed he will ride on.
'What an absolute disaster' – Cavendish crashes out on Stage 8 as record bid ends
Mark Cavendish has confirmed he will postpone his retirement and ride on with Astana Qazaqstan in 2024.
Cavendish's hopes of claiming the outright record of stage victories at the Tour de France came to an abrupt end in July when he broke his collarbone in a heavy fall, leaving him tied with Belgian legend Eddy Merckx on 34 wins.
He announced his plans to retire at the end of 2023 in an emotional press conference at the Giro d'Italia in May, but after his Tour swansong unravelled, rumours quickly began swirling that he could ride on for another year.
Now the 38-year-old has ended the speculation by confirming he will go again next year.
"The first thing Vino [Astana boss Alexander Vinokourov] said to me when I crashed out in France was 'why don't you do another year?'," Cavendish said in a video on social media.
"I was ready, I was at peace, but the more I've ridden this summer... I just loving riding my bike.
"I spoke to the kids and I said, 'what should Dad do?' And they said, 'carry on'. So here we are, just one more year, hey!"
Cavendish was denied a fairytale win at the Tour in July when a mechanical issue saw Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin–Deceuninck) overhaul him in the finale to Stage 7. One day later, he crashed out.
"There is no secret that the Tour de France and a stage win there was the main goal for Mark," said Vinokurov.
"On Stage 7 he was very close to breaking his historical record. However, a heavy crash a day later crossed out all the plans of both the rider and the team. I believe that a true champion should not end his career this way.
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‘Heartbreak on the line’ - Philipsen storms home to deny Cavendish in Stage 7 of 2023 Tour de France
"So I asked Mark if in a few years he would regret that he didn’t try again, and, in turn, suggested to reconsider his decision, to stay for another season, and still to try to win a stage in the Tour de France.
"I think Mark thought about it seriously; it's not easy to reconsider the decision already made, but in the end Mark agreed, and he will spend 2024 as a rider of Astana Qazaqstan.
"While this season Mark's arrival in the team was quite unexpected, then for the next year we are preparing thoroughly, seriously reviewing the squad, strengthening the sprint direction, making personnel changes.
"It won't be easy to better the record he shares with Eddie Merckx, it would be a historic achievement, but we have a chance, and we have to use it."
After a glittering 17-year stint in the pro peloton, Cavendish is widely considered the greatest sprinter of all time.
He has won the points classification at all three Grand Tours and counts victories at Milano-San Remo (2009) and the Road World Championships (2011) on his palmarès.
He has also starred in the velodrome and ended his hunt for an Olympic medal with silver in the omnium at Rio 2016, while he has claimed three world titles in the Madison.
Cavendish could potentially sign off his career in Paris at the 2024 Olympics, with the men's road race scheduled for August 3 next year.
'You really don't want to end your career after a crash - it's great news' - Contador
Seven-time Grand Tour winner Alberto Contador backed Cavendish's decision to ride on, saying "you really don't want to end your career after a crash".
"I think it's great news that Mark Cavendish wants to go on for another year," he told Eurosport.
"That means he is still motivated to stay in shape and to fight for that victory that he is missing in the Tour de France. He has so many wins in his pocket that it almost feels like a lie, but he does still need one more to break the record.
"Astana have really supported him. I think he has made this decision based on the confidence he has gained this year. He had a solid season, he was extremely competitive and you really don't want to end your career after a crash.
"So I think it's great news and we will see if he achieves his objective of winning one more stage on the Tour de France. One more year to enjoy watching him."
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