Mark Cavendish has hinted that his skilled profession could not but be over and left the door open to him presumably 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 recommended 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 lift 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 will by no means do this once more,’ then a few days later, you miss and also you lengthy for the excitement the yr after,” Cavendish mentioned 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 mentioned with a smile.
Cavendish has not raced since finishing the 2024 Tour de France in July and solely rode just a few post-Tour criteriums.
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The Tour de France criteriums in Saitama, Japan after which Singapore might be his final day and supply a becoming Tour de France-themed farewell. But Cavendish nonetheless loves racing and so may 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 function on the Astana Qazaqstan staff that has secured new funding from Chinese language carbon fibre producer XDS Carbon-Tech, which has turn into a majority stakeholder and sponsor of the staff. Workforce supervisor Alexander Vinokourov has signed 12 riders for 2025 because the staff tries to attain sufficient rating factors to remain within the WorldTour or not less than safe computerized 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 knowledgeable 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 mentioned 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 kids. It was the primary time I may actually take pleasure in a vacation, which could 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 supply information and have interviews from the ultimate occasions of the 2024 season.
