Mark Cavendish will hold a press conference on Monday. © APA/afp / LUCA BETTINI

Cavendish: retirement announcement and record hunt

Mark Cavendish is one of the most successful cyclists of all time. Is the Brit's glorious career now coming to an end?

21 May 2023

From: do

Mark Cavendish turned 38 today and can look back on a successful career. The Briton has announced a press conference for Monday, the second rest day of the Giro d'Italia, at which he wants to explain his plans for his sporting career. According to the Journal of Sport it will be the Astana professional's last season.

The Brit is the record holder for victories among active road riders (161) and has an exceptional CV that highlights the World Championship title in 2011, Sanremo in 2009 and no fewer than 53 stage victories in the major tours: 16 in the Giro, 34 in the Tour, 3 at the Vuelta. The results on the track are also excellent with three world championship titles.

Pascal Ackermann celebrates his sprint victory ahead of Mark Cavendish (second from left). © APA/afp / LUCA BETTINI

This year, the Brit from the Isle of Man signed with Astana, primarily to chase the historic record of stage wins in the Tour de France: he only needs one more to overtake Eddy Merckx - both currently have 34 successes equal. At this Giro d'Italia, Cavendish was fourth in Salerno and third in Tortona. Today the 15th stage is on the program, 195 km from Seregno to Bergamo with 3.600 meters of altitude.