Mark Cavendish to take time out from racing after Epstein-Barr diagnosis
Medical tests showed the Manxman had been riding with the virus over recent months


Mark Cavendish will take a spell away from racing after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus, his Dimension Data team have said.
Cavendish has had a difficult time during the 2018 season, suffering several crashes in early season races including Milan-San Remo, before missing the time cut on the stage to La Rosière and being eliminated from the Tour de France.
He then pulled out of the European Championships road race in August on medical advice, and is now taking time away from competitive action after being diagnosed with the virus.
The 33-year-old had been previously affected by the virus - also known as mononucleosis which can cause serious fatigue - in the 2017 season when he also was forced to miss a period of racing.
Dimension Data have said he will now need a period of complete rest after medical tests showed he had been riding with the virus "over recent months." Cavendish said he knew something had not been right with him through part of the season and that he had not felt physically himself.
“This season I’ve not felt physically myself and despite showing good numbers on the bike I have felt that there’s been something not right," Cavendish said.
"Given this and on the back of these medical results, I’m glad to now finally have some clarity as to why I haven’t been able to perform at my optimum level during this time.
"Having received expert medical advice as a result of the findings I’ve been advised to take a period of total rest in order to fully recover.
"I’m now looking forward to taking the time necessary in order to get back to 100% fitness before then returning to racing again at peak physical condition.
"I’d like to thank everyone for the incredible support I’ve received and I look forward to seeing you all out on the road again soon.”
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
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
Is this Ineos Grenadiers' Tour de France team? Geraint Thomas teases with eight-man training squad photo
It would not be a surprise to see the same faces in Copenhagen
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Vincenzo Nibali rolls back the years with shark attack on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
37-year-old up to fifth on general classification with five stages left
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
-
Hungarian village set to honour Mark Cavendish by naming bus stop after him
Cavendish changed his bike in front of the bus stop in question, which the village of Zámoly is planning to name after the rider
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Mark Cavendish: I’ve never been the strongest or the fastest but I win
Cavendish praises team as he makes a winning return to the Giro d'Italia
By Richard Windsor • Published
-
Mark Cavendish says stories about a rivalry with Fabio Jakobsen are 'lazy'
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter says that friction between him and Dutch teammate is the last thing he wants
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish to lead Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl at the Classic Brugge-De Panne
Manxman will battle it out with the fast men at Belgian race that has become a sprinter's classic
By Adam Becket • Published