Cyclist Mark Cavendish confirms Singapore Criterium will be his last dance
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Mark Cavendish interacting with fans at the Esplanade Park on Nov 9, ahead of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium.
ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE
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SINGAPORE – Mark Cavendish’s professional career spanning 20 years will come to an end on Nov 10 at the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium, the cyclist confirmed.
The Briton, one of the greatest sprinters in cycling history, confirmed the news on social media a day earlier.
In a video on his Instagram profile, the “Manx Missile” said: “Sunday will be the final race of my professional cycling career. I am lucky enough to have done what I love for almost 20 years and I can now say that I have achieved everything that I can on the bike.
“Cycling has given me so much and I love the sport, I’ve always wanted to make a difference in it and now I am ready to see what the next chapter has in store for me.”
Hours earlier, ahead of the race billed as the Briton’s swansong,
The 39-year-old, who finished second in the 2023 edition of the Singapore Criterium,
“I think a long time ago, I was satisfied with what I’ve done, and everything I’ve done since, there’s been motivation.
“Anything in life, you need a goal, to give you motivation, to do what you do.
“And I think as long as you’re constantly setting goals, then you can keep moving forward and keep trying to achieve more.”
When asked about one advice he would give to his younger self, he said: “Don’t take what you do for granted. It’s easy if you do something day in day out, to take it for granted. I get to ride my bike as my job. It’s a dream I had as a kid.”
Cavendish had planned to retire at the end of last season after crashing at the 2023 Tour de France but delayed it by a year.
The Isle of Man native then went on to break Eddy Merckx’s long-standing Tour record for most career stage wins with his 35th victory in July.
The Singapore organisers have promoted the criterium as Cavendish’s swansong, with posts on their official Instagram page stating: “This is your last chance to witness the Manx Missile in action” and “Witness TDF’s greatest sprinter on the streets of Singapore for his last race ever. Don’t miss your chance to be part of cycling history.”
He was also clearly the most popular rider for the hundreds of fans seeking wefies and autographs during the engagement activities at the Esplanade Park on Nov 9.
Admiration for Cavendish extends to those among the cycling fraternity.
Eritrean cyclist Biniam Girmay, who won three stages and became the first African to claim the Tour de France’s green jersey for most sprint points in 2024, calls Cavendish an inspiration.
He added: “To win one stage is already so hard but to win 35 stages… he is a legend. It is going to be hard to break this record.
“I would like to continue to see him racing, but he’s almost 40, so you also need to realise he is human. He cannot do this forever. So I’m just glad I’m sharing my time with him if it is his last race tomorrow.”
Cavendish and Girmay will be among the stars, besides defending champion Jasper Philipsen and four-time Tour winner Chris Froome, at the Singapore Criterium – which is in its final edition of a three-year deal.
And having come mighty close in 2023, Astana Qazaqstan rider Cavendish wants to bow out in style on race day.
The race at the Esplanade Park will feature a shorter 2.3km route – compared to the 3km route in 2023 – starting from Connaught Drive before looping around Esplanade Drive, going past landmarks such as the Cenotaph, Padang and Merlion.
Cavendish is clear about how he wants to be remembered when he steps away from the sport.
He said: “If people ever tell me that they started cycling because of me, in any capacity, that makes me the proudest.
“If I can help somebody enjoy the bicycle as much as I enjoy the bicycle, then I’m very, very happy.”
