‘Closer than team-mates’: Mark Cavendish pays tribute to Bernhard Eisel as legendary lead-out rider retires
After a 19-year career, Eisel is leaving the peloton


Mark Cavendish has paid emotional tribute to his faithful lead-out rider and friend Bernhard Eisel, who has announced his retirement.
Eisel, now 38, is leaving the peloton after a 19-year career that saw him support Cavendish to countless victories.
The Austrian announced his retirement on social media on Tuesday (January 14), saying he had “lived his dream” since signing his first pro contract in 2001.
Cavendish said: “Genuinely cried reading this. Closer than team-mates, closer than friends, we’re brothers. I could never win an argument with you, but I could never win anywhere near the races I have without you.
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me, the peloton and cycling. Love you mate.”
Eisel’s career included 12 Tour de France starts – he finished every one – and victory in the 2010 Ghent-Wevelgem where he beat Sep Vanmarcke, Philippe Gilbert and George Hincapie.
He estimates he race more than 1,300 times and took 15 victories during the span.
But it as Cavendish’s friend and lieutenant that Eisel will be best remembered, the pair first becoming team-mates at T-Mobile in 2007.
They went on to ride together at HTC-High Road, Team Sky and Dimension Data, where Eisel spent the last four years of his career.
Eisel says he will remain a part of the sport, but has not yet revealed in what capacity.
>>> Romain Bardet: ‘I hope Tour Down Under will help draw attention to areas stricken by fire’
In July last year, Cavendish’s other faithful lead-out rider Mark Renshaw announced he would be leaving the sport at the end of the 2019 season.
Australian Renshaw called time on his professional career after 16 seasons, in which his contributed to 19 of Cavendish’s 30 Tour de France stage victories.
Renshaw said one of his fondest memories was finishing second to team-mate Cavendish on the Champs-Élysées on the final day of the 2009 Tour de France.
Cavendish's career continues as he has moved from Dimension Data to Bahrain-McLaren to team up with his old mentor Rod Ellingworth, who has taken over as team principal.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
-
Israel-Premier Tech unveils limited edition Tour de France kit
Team launches ‘Field of dreams’ campaign to help kids in Rwanda
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
No Mark Cavendish or Julian Alaphilippe at Tour de France for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl
Fabio Jakobsen selected as team's sprinter for the race which begins on Friday in Copenhagen
By Adam Becket • Published
-
No Mark Cavendish or Julian Alaphilippe at Tour de France for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl
Fabio Jakobsen selected as team's sprinter for the race which begins on Friday in Copenhagen
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe expected to miss the Tour de France
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl set to leave out the two-time world champion
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Mark Cavendish sprints to his second British National Road title
The Manx missile put in a stellar performance in Scotland to secure the second National road title of his illustrious career
By Pete Trifunovic • Published
-
Bradley Wiggins: It would be a 'real shame' if Mark Cavendish wasn't at the Tour de France
Cavendish's former teammate and Madison partner thinks it would be "crazy" not to pick him
By Adam Becket • Published
-
A look at Mark Cavendish's big day out on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider made the time cut, but did so much more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Odd one out: Why was Mark Cavendish in the early break on Giro d'Italia queen stage?
It really is not a day for the fast men in the Alps
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'In the end, what can you do?' — Mark Cavendish misses out on Giro d'Italia stage five sprint
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter distanced by peloton on climb
By Adam Becket • Published