Mark Cavendish, the legendary British sprinter, is set to bow out of competitive cycling at the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium in November. The event is expected to provide a fitting finale to a career marked by extraordinary success, particularly in the Tour de France, where he holds the record for most stage wins.
Cavendish last raced competitively in July, securing a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage win before concluding the race in Nice. While he has participated in post-Tour criteriums, there are currently no plans for him to compete in major races with his Astana Qazaqstan team.
Sources indicate that Cavendish will not be part of the Great Britain squad for the Tour of Britain and is unlikely to participate in any significant UCI races in the final months of 2024. The Singapore Criterium, with its close ties to the Tour de France, seems destined to be his farewell, offering a fitting platform to celebrate his 35 stage victories and his unparalleled legacy in cycling.
The event, confirmed by organisers, will feature a star-studded line-up, including fellow Tour de France winners Jasper Philipsen and Chris Froome, alongside rising star Biniam Girmay.
Cavendish is likely to be the centre of attention at the presentation of the 2025 Tour de France route in Paris on October 29th. He may also make an appearance at the Saitama Tour de France criterium in Japan on November 2nd.
Speaking about his participation in Singapore, Cavendish said, "This season has been pretty eventful, but I've had some time to rest and recharge and I'm ready to get back to racing." However, he did not clarify whether he would compete again before his retirement.
"Iâm very excited to race in the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium again," he added. "I've been here the last two years and it's been a sublime experience each time. I came close to winning in Singapore last year and I'm definitely going for the win this time. I'll be working towards that and look forward to seeing you all again."
The Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will be held over two days, featuring a family day, a local amateur race, and various other activities in the heart of Singapore.
