Mark Cavendish on his 'greatest joy' in response to LeBron James, Roger Federer and Usain Bolt comparison

Updated 25/02/2023 at 08:28 GMT

In an exclusive interview with Eurosport, Mark Cavendish spoke very openly with his good friend, Adam Blythe, about the impact top sports people can have on others - particularly the next generation. Talking about his kids and the positive impact that the achievements of top sports stars have on them, Cavendish described what he felt was the power of sport in providing inspiration.

'It’s pretty nuts!' – Cavendish explains why the Tour de France is 'above the sport'

Mark Cavendish has described the "greatest joy" that he gets from all that he has achieved in professional cycling, above all of his legendary records and titles.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Eurosport’s Adam Blythe, Cavendish expressed his excitement about Astana’s transition to sprints as he attempts to launch a memorable return to the highest level aged 37.

He also took the opportunity in the one-to-one to describe the Tour de France as “above the sport” as he underlined how special the event is - both for him personally in his illustrious career, and more broadly for cycling as a sport.

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Blythe also asked his friend if he realised that some would consider his standing within cycling to be equivalent to the likes of LeBron James in basketball, Roger Federer in tennis and Usain Bolt in athletics, Cavendish was typically self-effacing.

"Not really," said the modest Cavendish. "I think the greatest joy I get is ... I cannot deny that people say 'I got into cycling because of you'. That is the proudest thing I get from my career, you know.

"My kids get inspired by other sports people. They get inspired by cyclists, they watch the World Cup and my boy has got a (Lionel) Messi kit now.

"That is what sport is about and people dream to be like them. Do you remember when we were out riding when we were young and you'll be someone and I'll be someone? When you are racing like that, that is what you want, isn't it?

"I see my own kids doing it and you actually realise what it is about."

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Asked if his own kids pretend to be him, he responded: "Ah, yes - and it makes me really proud. It is special; it really is, you know. But it is even more special that I am still just 'dad'. That means more than anything, doesn't it? You are just 'dad', whatever you do.

"Seeing them and how they look up to other sports people and cyclists, like Casper is obsessed with Wout van Aert. He loves Julian Alaphilippe. He loves Tadej Pogacar. He knows about them and he spots them in the peloton.

"You know that other kids are doing that, and not just other kids - adults are doing that, and you realise what it is that you do.

"It is irrelevant how you have done it, whether you win races or pull wheelies, it doesn't matter. I prefer the winning races!

"It gives the essence of what we do as sports people. At the end of the day, we are all just getting on a bicycle and trying to be the first to cross a finish line: it doesn't really make sense when you think about it. But other people can dream to go and cross that finish line first."

Cavendish has a very special relationship with the Tour, having clinched a record-equalling 34 stages at cycling's most prestigious race, the same number as Belgian great Eddy Merckx. The Brit is expected to try and beat the record this year with new team Astana, having been overlooked by Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl for the Tour last season.