Mark Cavendish announces his retirement, with the ultimate challenge of a 35th stage victory in the Tour de France

After celebrating his 38th birthday on Sunday, British cyclist Mark Cavendish made a strong announcement on Monday during the second day of rest of the Tour of Italy. One of the best sprinters of all time has indeed indicated that he will end his career at the end of the season, during a press conference. The iconic Isle of Man rider has set his ultimate goal of claiming a 35th Tour de France stage victory in July, which would make him the sole holder of a record he currently shares with the Belgian Eddy Merckx.

“It’s my last Giro and 2023 will be my last season,” said the 2011 world champion with tremolos in his voice, surrounded by his wife and children in Coccaglio, Lombardy. Also winner of Milan-San Remo in 2009, the former track racer has one of the finest records in his sport: he has won a total of 161 victories in his career, including 34 in the Tour de France, 16 in the Giro and 3 on the Vuelta, as well as the classification by points on the three Grand Tours.

After the aborted plan to sign with B & B Hotels, which disappeared for lack of a sponsor, Mark Cavendish joined the Astana team this winter, where his former teammate Alexandre Vinokourov, who became manager of the Kazakh team, held out his hand. He hasn’t lifted his arms yet this season – his 17th in the peloton – but he remains competitive, as shown by his third place last week, during the 11th stage of the Giro. Two other figures in the peloton have already announced their retirement for the end of the season, the Slovak Peter Sagan and the Frenchman Thibaut Pinot (sniff sniff).


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