Mark Cavendish is clear: "I won't do another Tour de France"

Mark Cavendish officially became a knight this week, simultaneous to the report of the possibility of him continuing his career as a pro rider in 2025. It remains possible, but very unlikely, as he admits that he will not return to the Tour de France after finally breaking the stage win record.

"I am very fortunate to have got to do what I love for so many years and to see other people inspired by that and riding bikes themselves," Cavendish told the BBC. "It's wonderful. You know, I'm just a lad from the Isle of Man, to be a Knight Commander, that's not something I could ever have dreamed of."

The Manxman focused his whole season around the Tour de France, and although most of the season was very difficult for the Astana Qazaqstan Team he did arrive at the Tour and conquered a stage within the first week of the race. He then didn't manage to contest for any other and didn't race since the Tour ended. It has been assumed that he wouldn't race anymore and perhaps the Tour was the last race of his career.

But actually, although unknown and with only two weeks left of the season, Cavendish says that he is still planning to race. "I've still got races this year. I'm still training for them, it will be really nice to race as a Knight Commander".

The main questions though revolve around what he will be doing in 2025. Most likely, a role as an ambassador for a bike brand or for the Kazakh team that gave him an opportunity to fulfill his goal of 35 wins. But he will not try to go for a 36th. "I've already said I won't do another Tour de France. That's public knowledge, I won't do another Tour de France," he concluded.