‘I have a job to do’: No space for sentimentality for Mark Cavendish at Tour de France
Astana Qazaqstan sprinter says he's as determined as ever to hunt stages at the French Grand Tour
As he readies himself for his final Tour de France, Mark Cavendish is focused on the job ahead of him - winning stages.
It’s the same goal he’s had since he first took the start line at the race in 2007, and even now, as he prepares for his 14th and final lap of France, his mind is set on victories.
“The whole experience of the Tour, you can’t describe it,” he said in a press conference on Thursday. “This race gives me the most incredible emotions. But unfortunately you can’t really analyse it and appreciate it until afterwards.
“It’s the same every year, and I know it’s my last one, but it’s still the same, I have a job to do.”
This time round, the job is simple. One more stage win would place Cavendish as the sole record holder for all-time stage wins, a title he currently shares with Eddy Merckx, with both men tied on 34.
Asked what it would mean for him to break the record, Cavendish sat in silence for 32 seconds. He looked around the conference room pensively, smiled and waited for the words to come to him.
“In all honesty, I don’t know,” he answered in a sincere tone. “I just want to try and win as much as I can. I’m sorry.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The same determination, he explained, is still there. “I don’t know anything different really,” he said. “I think the biggest thing you can instil is to never give up. It’s the biggest thing I’ve instilled into my kids. They can do what they want and enjoy it.”
Cavendish’s last victory came on the final day of the Giro d’Italia, when, after three gruelling weeks and a host of mountain passes, he won comfortably from a bunch sprint in Rome. His form, he said, is still up in the air. “You never really know where you’re at in the race until you start racing.”
As the Brit answered questions, Jayco AlUla’s Dylan Groenewegen sat next to him in an identical arm chair. In what was arranged as a joint press conference, the focus lay primarily on Cavendish, and even the Dutchman took his moment to pay homage.
“When I was young, I always looked to the Tour de France and for me the sprints are the most beautiful stages,” Groenewegen said. “It was always Mark Cavendish, with a lot of other sprinters, of course.
"I have a lot of respect for Mark, and hopefully you can win stages," he said, turning to address Cavendish directly. “I think he’s showing us this year that his level is really good. He is still one of the best sprinters and it’s up to us guys to beat him. He’s the best sprinter in the world, and he still is.”
Smiling, Cavendish reached across and fist bumped Groenewegen.
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
Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
Giro d'Italia stage 1 live: Race gets underway in Turin
The opening stage takes the riders from Venaria Reale to Turin
By Joseph Lycett Last updated
-
‘I was just on a mad one’ - Lewis Askey reflects back on the ride that helped him turn pro
British rider remembers his victory at Paris-Roubaix juniors
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
New team philosophy, no foreign investment and Red Bull helmets: Inside the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe deal
Team CEO Ralph Denk says further big money signings, similarly to Primož Roglič, are unlikely as Red Bull money gives German team wings
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
From 'best condition ever' to 'worst' - Wout van Aert reflects on crashing out of Classics
Visma-Lease a Bike rider rues his misfortune in team documentary after Spring campaign wiped out by crash
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tour de France stage winner leaves hospital, one month after being hit by car driver
Lennard Kämna to fly home to Germany to begin rehabilitation after incident in Tenerife last month
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Wout van Aert back on drop bars as he says he’s 'almost professional again' in Strava post
Visma-Lease a Bike rider broke his collarbone, sternum and several ribs in a high speed crash at Dwars door Vlaanderen
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Jonas Vingegaard leaves hospital after Itzulia Basque Country horror crash
Danish rider underwent surgery to repair broken collarbone; too early to know whether Tour de France return will be possible
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Will the Tour de France be won by the last man standing?
With Jonas Vingegaard, Remco Evenepoel and Primož Roglič hitting the deck at Itzulia Basque Country, all three now face battle to get their seasons back on track
By Adam Becket Published
-
Tom Pidcock unable to bear weight on right leg after Itzulia Basque Country crash
British rider crashed during recon of opening stage time trial last weekend and injured his right hip
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish to miss Scheldeprijs as illness continues to affect schedule
Cavendish will ride Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye later this month, Astana Qazaqstan confirms
By Tom Thewlis Published