Mark Cavendish: 'I've packed a suitcase for the Tour de France'
The Deceuninck - Quick-Step rider could be called upon to replace Sam Bennett who is an injury doubt


Mark Cavendish has played down talk that he would refuse the opportunity to ride the Tour de France due to contractual issues, saying that he has joined a training camp in Italy having packed for the race.
The British rider was not expected to ride the French Grand Tour when he re-joined Deceuninck – Quick-Step at the start of the year, but four wins at the Tour of Turkey and a victory at the Belgium Tour last week have seen a return to form.
Coupled with the ongoing knee injury to the team’s leading sprinter Sam Bennett, and there is an ever-increasing chance of Cavendish riding his first Tour since 2018.
The Manxman rebuffed suggestions that he would demand more money to ride the Tour, telling the Daily Telegraph: “I’ve packed a suitcase for the Tour de France.
“I don’t know whether I’m going away for a week or a month, but I’m training as if I’m going to the Tour de France.
“I’d love to go to the Tour, of course I would. Ultimately we have Sam Bennett who won two stages last year and the green jersey.
“He’s the logical guy to take. He’s the sprint leader of the team. But I’m sure Sam will only go if he’s 100 percent fit.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
“Obviously there is a lot of pressure on him as the green jersey winner to perform. I’m sure he will do what’s best for the team. Sam is a pro. I just have to be ready in case I’m needed.”
A decision on who Deceuninck – Quick-Step will decide to take as sprinter will have to be made in the coming days, with the Tour beginning on June 26.
If things go their way, it looks like there will be eight opportunities for sprinters in the race, and should Cavendish be called upon he has not ruled himself out of adding to his 30 stage wins.
“Nobody expects me to win. But, listen, I wouldn’t go to the Tour if I didn’t think I could be competitive,” the 36-year-old added.
“Why would I go otherwise? Just to suffer in the hardest sporting event in the world? No. I’m not 20 anymore where I just dream of riding the Tour de France for the sake of it.
“I dream of riding the Tour de France because of what it means to me and because I believe I can be competitive. That’s why I have a duty to be as prepared as I can be in case Sam doesn’t make it.
“Ultimately, I didn’t think I was going so I haven’t prepared for it but now I have to prepare the best I can in a week.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Casper van Uden sprints to victory in unusual TT helmet on Giro d'Italia stage 4
Dutchman beats Olav Kooij and Mads Pedersen in bunch kick in Lecce
-
Unmarked helmets, a new Campagnolo groupset, and fresh kit: Five of the best tech finds from the Giro d'Italia 2025
There's new equipment on display at the first men's Grand Tour of the year
-
Identical start, diverging destinies? The story of Adam and Simon Yates as they both race for pink at the Giro d'Italia
Adam and Simon Yates head to the Giro d’Italia on different teams and with different prospects. As their career paths diverge, does the brotherly bond endure?
-
Who could complete the Grand Tour hat-trick at the men’s Giro d’Italia?
Six male riders could become stage winners in all three Grand Tours this month
-
Tadej Pogačar was dominant at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but I hope for a competitive Tour de France
The Slovenian has finished on the podium of the last six Monuments, the first man to do so - when will he stop dominating?
-
Jonas Vingegaard confirms race schedule ahead of Tour de France
Danish climber will only ride the Critérium du Dauphiné in June, but will take part in two altitude camps
-
Remco Evenepoel hails end of 'dark period' and announces racing return
Olympic champion says comeback from training crash has been 'the hardest battle of my life so far'
-
'We need to keep the biggest race in the sport free' - Petition calling for Tour de France to remain on free-to-air television reaches 10,000 signatures
As things stand, the Tour will be not be free to watch in 2026, but a petition is seeking to change the way it is categorised by the UK government
-
Could Caleb Ewan be Ineos Grenadiers' first Tour de France sprinter since Mark Cavendish? 'That's my goal'
"All I can do is try to win as much as possible and prove that I deserve to be there," says Australian
-
Extra wildcard team approved for Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España
Number of teams to increase from 22 to 23 at men's Grand Tours