Timing of Mark Cavendish's retirement "makes perfect sense" according to Jens Voigt

After announcing he will be retiring at the end of the 2023 season, Mark Cavendish has been inundated with tributes and glowing references. According to Eurosport analyst Jens Voigt the timing is perfect.

“I was exactly 50:50 if he's going to announce one more year, or if he’s going to retire, until he actually said the words," says the German ex-pro on Eurosport's coverage of the Giro d'Italia. “Because he's chasing that elusive record with the Tour stages. And not sure if he's going to make it this year, if he's going to do or if he is actually going to win this stage. On the other side, I completely understand."

Key to Cavendish's reasoning behind his decision was the chance to spend more time with his young family. It was actually his son's birthday on Monday, the day that the Astana Qazaqstan Team sprinter announced this was his final year.

"I mean, look at the pictures. What a happy family he has, happy healthy children, a wonderful wife, wonderful family. It's only fair to think, ‘You know what? I'm fed up with travel and sacrifices," says Voigt. “I suppose quality time with the family makes perfect sense."

Currently at the Giro d'Italia, Cavendish has been plagued by bad luck. Crashing numerous times, 'the Manx Missile' is yet to taste victory since moving teams over the winter. “This Giro, with so much rain and so many crashes. I mean, if you remember his spectacular crash. He finished fifth on a stage, sliding across the line on his butt cheeks. So maybe that reminded him how bloody hard the sport is and how dangerous it is," Voigt recalls. “So bad weather, a tonne of crashes, super hard profile of this Giro. Maybe his body was telling him you just couldn’t do it anymore.”

“Mark Cavendish has had so many miracle comebacks, like almost nobody else,” continues the two-time former Tour de France stage winner in 2001 and 2006. “How many tough crashes, the Epstein-Barr virus. He came back and back again and again and he came back and still at a really good level. So, I think it's a good decision for him. He’s got his happy family, he feels his body is maybe not at 100% anymore. So, I understand him. It makes perfect sense to me."