Mark Cavendish has hinted that his skilled profession might 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 received a record-breaking thirty fifth stage victory at this 12 months’s Tour de France however has urged that he would by no means experience 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 counsel he’s having second ideas throughout 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 suppose: ‘I am going to by no means do this once more,’ then a few days later, you miss and also you lengthy for the excitement the 12 months after,” Cavendish stated on stage on the presentation.
When requested how being 40 subsequent July and going for a thirty sixth stage victory computed, Cavendish refused to substantiate his racing profession – and so his presence on the Tour de France – was over.
“Yeah, we’ll see….” he stated with a smile.
Cavendish has not raced since finishing the 2024 Tour de France in July and solely rode a couple of post-Tour criteriums.
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The Tour de France criteriums in Saitama, Japan after which Singapore may very well be his final day and supply a becoming Tour de France-themed farewell. But Cavendish nonetheless loves racing and so may resolve to race on, simply as he did after he crashed out of the 2023 Tour de France.
Cavendish is anticipated to take up some sort of function on the Astana Qazaqstan workforce 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 workforce. Workforce supervisor Alexander Vinokourov has signed 12 riders for 2025 because the workforce tries to attain sufficient rating factors to remain within the WorldTour or at the very least safe automated invites to the Grand Excursions and WorldTour one-day races.
From now he has been having fun with time along with his household, with out the fixed calls for of life as an expert rider.
“Life has been nice. I have been using my bike, spending time with my youngsters. I simply have not been shouting at races any extra,” he stated 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 get pleasure from a vacation, which may 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 offer information and have interviews from the ultimate occasions of the 2024 season.
