Biking and operating share the same cardio engine, making it unsurprising that many elite cyclists transition into sturdy age-group runners after retiring from biking. Nonetheless, not all athletes transition easily, which is one thing Tour de France legend Mark Cavendish found the laborious manner. After retiring from skilled biking following the 2024 Tour de France, the 39-year-old sprinting icon has taken up operating.
Cavendish posted a selfie together with his medal from the Harmonie Mutuelle Semi de Paris on social media, and a few of his followers and followers have been lower than impressed. He accomplished his 21.1 km debut in 1:57:08, averaging 5:33 per kilometre (8:55 per mile).
Whereas that’s a good time for a lot of novice runners of their first half-marathon, some chirped the 35-time Tour de France stage winner for his lack of health, given his athletic background.
“Am I lacking one thing right here? I’m 53 and might simply do this,” one commenter wrote.”Normally, cyclists are good runners… it’s the other right here.”
“He should’ve been in zone 0.5,” one other joked. “It’s good to know I can compete with an elite sportsman.”
What made issues worse for Cavendish was the presence of one other former Tour de France stage winner in the identical race. Thomas Voeckler, a four-time stage winner, and now the supervisor of the French nationwide biking crew, completed in 1:13:21—putting fourth in his males’s 45-49 age group and 179th total out of 48,000 contributors. Voeckler, who can also be six years older than Cavendish, additional fuelled the fireplace round his time.
On tour, Cavendish was by no means actually recognized for his endurance. He was nicknamed the “Manx Missile,” and constructed his legacy being as of the best sprinters in biking historical past, dominating flat, high-speed finishes fairly than on lengthy and hard climbs. His power was at all times in pure dash phases—not the sort of sustained cardio effort required for long-distance operating. A direct comparability in operating can be somebody like Usain Bolt racing the marathon.
Regardless of the criticism, quite a few folks got here to Cavendish’s defence, applauding him for attempting one thing new in retirement. “Not very welcoming to a brand new runner—all of us have to begin someplace,” one commented.
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“Slagging him off for his time is disgraceful. He doesn’t publicly name you out when he sees your bike instances on Strava. Nicely accomplished, Cavendish,” wrote one other.
Cavendish’s 1:57:08 half-marathon time might not be breaking end tapes anytime quickly, however for a primary try, it’s a stable effort—particularly for somebody transitioning from one other sport. As Cavendish’s coaching continues for the 2025 Paris Marathon, he undoubtedly deserves kudos, not criticism.
