It’s the end of the road for Cavendish

BRITISH legend Mark Cavendish, who has amassed 53 Grand Tour stage wins, has revealed he will retire from professional cycling at the end of this year.

The 38-year-old, the sport’s most successful sprinter of all time, said he wants to spend more time with his family as he announced the news alongside his wife and four children during yesterday’s rest day at the Giro d’Italia. Cavendish is competing for Astana Qazaqstan at the race in Italy, which finishes in Rome on Sunday, and he will then turn his attention to chasing a record 35th stage win at his final Tour de France in July. The Manx Missile could finish his career at September’s Tour of Britain. ‘I’ve absolutely loved racing every kilometre of this race so far, so I feel it’s the perfect time to say it’s my final Giro d’Italia and 2023 will be my final season as a professional cyclist,’ he said. ‘Yesterday I celebrated my 38th birthday. Cycling has been my life for over 25 years. I have lived an absolute dream and the bike has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet some incredible people. It’s taught me so much about life — dedication, loyalty, companionship, teamwork, sacrifice and perseverance. ‘Thay are all things that now, as a father, I can show my children.’ Cavendish has won 161 races since turning professional in 2005, a haul that includes the world road race title in 2011.

He has twice won the green points jersey at the Tour de France, where his record of 34 stage victories is only matched by Belgian great Eddy Merckx.

On the track, he has won three world gold medals in the madison and an Olympic silver in the omnium at Rio 2016.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: ‘I would like to congratulate Mark on a truly outstanding career. ‘Cav is without doubt the sport’s greatest sprinter.’