Mark Cavendish announces his retirement from biking: ‘It’s the perfect time’

Mark Cavendish has introduced that he’ll retire from biking at the finish of the 2023.

The British rider will conclude his time as knowledgeable at the finish of the season, bringing the curtain down on one among the most profitable careers in the sport’s historical past.

Speaking at the Giro d’Italia, Cavendish mentioned. “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 and 2023 will be my final season as a professional cyclist.”

The sprinter has received a joint-record 34 phases at the Tour de France and have become world champion on the highway in 2011.

On the monitor, Cavendish took silver in the omnium at the 2016 Rio Olympics and received three World Championship golds in the madison.

His 161 victories as knowledgeable, which additionally embody 16 phases at the Giro d’Italia are the third-highest of any male rider in historical past and he’s extensively thought to be the biggest sprinter that highway biking has ever seen.

The 38-year-old joined Astana Qazaqstan at the begin of this season and can hope to go to the Tour de France in July, the place he may surpass Eddy Merckx as the outright most profitable stage hunter at the race.

““Cycling has been in my life for more than 25 years. I’ve lived a dream,” Cavendish mentioned after confirming his retirement. “The bike has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet fantastic people.

“I love the sport more than you can even imagine and I can’t see myself going too far from it, that’s for sure.

“When you understand it’s not forever, it’s easier to enjoy every feeling this sport has to offer.

“Today is my son Casper’s fifth birthday, fortunately it’s a rest day and I can spend his birthday with him. I think it’s important now that I can be there for every birthday for my wife Peta and all our children.

“It’s important I can see all their school concerts and support them in their sporting competitions and it’s important I can run around with them without fear of injury or getting sick.”