Mark Cavendish is preparing for his 18th season in the pro peloton in 2024, returning with a strengthened Astana Qazaqstan team as he takes aim at a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage win next summer.
Back in July, the Manxman was edging closer to the momentous task of overhauling Merckx, recording a second place on stage 7 in Bordeaux before fate intervened a day later. He crashed out of the race on the road to Limoges, the disappointment of not going out on his own terms only amplified by the pain of a broken collarbone.
His Astana Qazaqstan boss Alexander Vinokourov was quick to say that the team would welcome him putting off retirement, and three months later Cavendish made it official with the announcement that he’d extend his career.
Of course, returning to chase that Tour stage victory was a major factor in making that decision. However, speaking at Astana’s pre-season training camp, Cavendish said that feeling “valued” and “happy” at the team was the main driver behind going again in 2024.
“I think the biggest factor was knowing I was valued,” Cavendish told the assembled media at Astana’s press day on Sunday. “It had been rather a few years since I felt valued, I guess, as a rider and off the bike as a teammate. And I was happy. It’s ironic that the reason I wanted to start was because I was happy and enjoying cycling. I could finish knowing I was in love with the sport the same as it was when I started.”
“Ironically, I’m carrying on because I’m happy and I love the sport. It took a while. It was just seeing where I came back from my injury more than more than anything. Alex [Vinokourov] asked me straight after I got back from the hospital if I wanted to carry on. That’s nice.”
“That’s a team boss who has been a champion, has ridden a bike, and who understands. I just love it. I don’t think I really have to have anything else to do in cycling. I can just enjoy it and that’s a nice place to be.”
Cavendish also said that his children were also part of the decision to keep racing, questioning his decision to call time on a career that has seen him rack up 162 wins. That second place in Bordeaux – Cavendish looked set to win before green jersey Jasper Philipsen sped past at the line – was another factor, he added.
“The ultimate call was with the kids – when I said I’m stopping, and they go ‘What do you mean you’re stopping? You can’t do that,'” he said.
“That was quite a big factor. I have to set an example to them, and my philosophy has been…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at CyclingNews RSS Feed…