Was 2024 not the perfect ending?
Cavendish’s 35th victory in 2024 was a historic and
emotional moment. The narrative of a legendary sprinter, who announced his
retirement in 2023 only to make a spectacular return, seems like the perfect
ending. The 2024 race was not only a showcase of his resilience but a
culmination of his career, one filled with relentless pursuit, personal
sacrifices, and countless miles on the road.
The British rider’s troubles have been well documented.
Alongside his injuries, Cavendish has struggled with his mental health at times
during his career. It was only in 2021, that Cavendish had struggled mentally
and physically, leaving him 3 years without a
Tour stage win. Many thought the dream
of him breaking the record was dead, before he won multiple stages that year
and came agonisingly close to breaking the record in Paris. He then faced
another agonising wait, including not being selected in 2022, a mechanical
disaster and an injury in 2023, before finally having his crowning moment in
2024.
Mark Cavendish had the fairy tale ending in 2024
This sense of closure, however, raises the question: does he
need another Tour de France? As Cavendish himself admitted on stage during the
2025 route presentation, he’d planned on walking away multiple times before.
“After last year I was exhausted, you know how it is. I said ‘never again,’” he
admitted. But, after a refreshing break with family, he’s now left with the
tantalizing possibility of one more run at Tour glory. His cryptic “Yeah, we’ll
see” response suggests an openness to more.
The temptation of 2025’s route
The 2025 Tour de France route announcement has undoubtedly
added to Cavendish’s dilemma. With a route heavily favouring sprinters,
Eurosport pundit and former Tour competitor Jens Voigt believes Cavendish’s
chances of continuing just spiked. “The 2025 Tour is pretty standard in terms
of overall lengths and the amount of flat and hilly stages and mountain-top
finishes,” Voigt noted. “One change is that we have nine more or less flat
stages until the first really tough stage (Stage 10) in the Massif Central. That
does invite Cav to go one more time, to try to win more stages and to try to
hold off the chasing stage hunter Pogacar!”
Of course, if Cavendish wants to hang on to the record, he
truly does have to consider Tadej Pogacar, who was a true winning machine in
2024 on his way to securing the triple crown. But, then again, are records not
made to be broken?
But, there’s no denying that the 2025 route could be a
perfect match for Cavendish’s strengths. With the potential for more flat
sprint finishes than usual on offer, the temptation for one last hurrah must be
immense. It’s not just the lure of competition; it's the allure of ‘Project 36’,
an opportunity to extend his record and raise the bar for future generations.
The chase from Tadej Pogacar
Adding to the intrigue is the relentless stage-winning
prowess of Tadej Pogacar. With 17 Tour de France stage wins to his name,
Pogacar is already in pursuit of Cavendish’s record. In 2024 alone, the
Slovenian secured six stage victories on route to the yellow jersey. While
Cavendish’s legacy is secure, the thought of his record being broken within a
few years could make retirement a hard pill to swallow.
Cavendish’s pride in his accomplishments is evident. He has
postponed retirement before, and with Pogacar, and also a talented crop of young
sprinters on the rise, he may feel motivated to defend his record while he
still can.
Is there anything left to prove?
Retirement is often a complex decision for athletes.
Cavendish's own path to this point has seen him grapple with that decision
several times. Following a much-deserved rest at the end of 2023, Cavendish
returned refreshed for 2024, a year where everything seemed to align perfectly.
Now, without the same pressure, he’s facing a crossroads: does he continue,
risking his carefully crafted legacy, or retire on the ultimate high?
Several sporting legends have faced similar dilemmas.
Michael Jordan famously returned to basketball multiple times, with varying
degrees of success. While his first comeback was marked by NBA championships,
his last stint with the Washington Wizards did little to add to his legacy.
Similarly, Tiger Woods’ return to golf brought him both a renewed sense of
glory and fresh struggles, and Michael Schumacher’s F1 return with Mercedes did
not yield a single race win for the 7-time world champion.
Even in cycling, the infamous Lance Armstrong returned to
the Tour, only to bettered by the younger generation. Cavendish must consider
whether returning could risk diminishing his career's final chapters.
What lies ahead?
There are several paths Cavendish could pursue if he chooses
not to race again. One option could see him transition into a supportive role
within the Astana Qazaqstan Team, sharing his invaluable experience with
younger riders. Alternatively, he could step away from competitive racing
entirely, taking on ambassadorial roles or focusing on personal pursuits
outside cycling.
These post-cycling pathways are appealing, especially for a
rider who has spent 16 brutal years in the pro peloton. The desire to relax
and spend time with his family, as he acknowledged, is compelling. For the
first time in years, Cavendish is free from the weight of expectations. He’s
finally able to make a decision purely on personal desire rather than pressure.
And there’s not many with experience, knowledge, and wisdom
of the pro-peloton, that rival that of
Mark Cavendish. Whether he wants to
continue racing or not, he certainly has a future within cycling.
Decision time
Mark Cavendish’s return to the
Tour de France in 2025 is a
captivating possibility. The 2024 edition was arguably the perfect finale, a
record-breaking victory that encapsulated his indomitable spirit and skill.
However, the 2025 route provides a tantalizing setup for a sprinter, offering
him multiple chances to increase his record to 36 stage wins. Additionally, the
relentless Pogacar waiting in the wings may add fuel to his fire.
And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t like to see him take on
Biniam Girmay and Jasper Philipsen? On the other hand, he’s got nothing left to
prove, and his highlight reel of victories will be the stuff of legend for eternity.
Ultimately, the decision lies with Cavendish. Should he
decide to return, the cycling world will watch with anticipation. If he chooses
to retire, he leaves behind an unparalleled legacy. Either way, Mark Cavendish
has etched his name into Tour de France history as one of its greatest
champions, and his story is one fans will remember for generations.