Mark Cavendish will retire from professional cycling after the 2023 season. He made this announcement on Monday's rest day at the Giro d'Italia.
What happened?
Cavendish, who turned 38 on Sunday, is riding for the Astana Qazaqstan team at the Giro d'Italia. He expressed his joy in announcing his retirement, stating he wants to enjoy his final season.
Why it matters for Mark Cavendish
Cavendish shares the record of 34 Tour de France stage wins with Eddy Merckx. If he participates in the Tour de France in July, he will attempt to break this record. In 2021, Cavendish won four sprint stages, tying Merckx's record.
What comes next?
Cavendish has competed in three Olympics, earning a silver medal in the track's omnium in 2016. He has won the points classification in all three Grand Tours and ranks third in stage wins, combining the Giro, Tour, and Vuelta with 53 wins.
Mark Cavendish won his first Tour stage in 2008. He is now older than all but two men to win a stage in Tour history. Cavendish will aim to break the record and surpass Merckx's 34 wins before his retirement.
The Astana Qazaqstan team will likely include Cavendish in their Tour de France roster. This will give him the opportunity to break the record and achieve his goal.
Cavendish has had a successful career, with 53 stage wins in the Grand Tours. He will look to add to this total before his retirement at the end of the 2023 season.
Mario Cipollini, an Italian cyclist, has won 57 stages, while Merckx has won 64. Cavendish will aim to move up the rankings and break the record before his retirement.
Cavendish's announcement has sparked excitement among fans, who will be eager to see him compete in his final season. He will look to make the most of his remaining time as a professional cyclist and achieve his goals.
The 2023 season will be an important one for Cavendish, as he attempts to break the record and surpass Merckx's 34 wins. Fans will be watching closely to see if he can achieve this goal and end his career on a high note.
Cavendish's retirement will mark the end of an era in professional cycling. He has been a dominant force in the sport, and his absence will be felt. However, he will always be remembered as one of the greatest cyclists of all time.
The Giro d'Italia and Tour de France will be crucial events for Cavendish in his final season. He will look to perform well and break the record, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest cyclists in history.
Cavendish's career has been marked by numerous achievements, including his Olympic medal and stage wins in the Grand Tours. He will look to add to this total and end his career on a high note.
The road cycling community will be watching closely as Cavendish competes in his final season. He will look to make the most of his remaining time as a professional cyclist and achieve his goals, breaking the record and surpassing Merckx's 34 wins.