Will Cavendish bow out in Singapore?

“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>

The will he-won’t he about Mark Cavendish’s retirement has been rumbling on since the Tour de France, with the all-time stage record holder recently hinting he could do another year in the saddle.

However Tour de France organizers ASO have said that his long career will come to an end at its upcoming Singapore Criterium.

Billing it as “his final challenge,” ASO stated Thursday that the event will see him bow out of the pro scene after almost two decades.

“After 18 seasons in the professional ranks, Mark Cavendish managed to beat Eddy Merckx’s record as the most prolific Tour de France stage hunter ever, claiming his 35th career victory in the finale at Saint-Vulbas.

“His 2024 racing calendar concludes with the Singapore event, which will also be the final race of his career,” ASO said in a media statement.

The confusion over the Manxman’s intentions originate to two interview in recent months. Back in September he was asked by ITV about the topic of retirement.

“We’ll see what happens in the future,” he answered.

“I’m still racing for a couple of months, and I’m definitely not finished this year. I still don’t know what happens after,” the 39-year-old said then. “I know I won’t be doing the Tour de France again. I said that before the Tour and after. I’m just taking time with my family and really chilling.

“When I’ve had time to process, we’ll see what happens in the future.”

He was also non-declarative about his intentions when interviewed by BBC last week on getting a knighthood.

Velo asked Astana-Qazaqstan on Thursday if ASO’s declaration about Singapore being his final event was correct.

It said that it would almost certainly be Mark Cavendish’s final race with the team. However the team indicated it would be up to the rider himself to announce whether or not it was the last race of his career.

The event takes place on November 10.

Three green jersey winners go head to head

If the Singapore Criterium does indeed mark the end of an era, Cavendish’s chances of clocking up one final victory will depend on two things.

Firstly, how seriously he and other rivals take the race. Other criteriums in Europe and elsewhere have often had pre-arranged winners, with the events being more exhibitions than genuinely competitive affairs.

Secondly, if it is run off as a proper race, his prospects will also depend on his condition and that of his rivals.

“A born winner, the British rider will hold nothing in reserve, but he faces serious rivals in this climactic sprint,” ASO pointed out.

“In the mad dash to the line, Cav will have to contend with the raw power of the 2024 green jersey, Biniam Girmay, as well as the Eritrean’s predecessor, Jasper Philipsen, who happens to be the reigning champion in Singapore.”

Other big Tour names due to take part are past winners Chris Froome and Vincenzo Nibali. The latter will pin on a number despite having retired in 2022. The presence of Primož Roglič on the composite TDF Legends team will see a total of 15 Grand Tour victories between them.

Also riding are Tour 2024 stage winners Anthony Turgis (Team TotalEnergies) and Victor Campenaerts (Lotto Dstny). They will be joined by big Tour animators Jonas Abrahamsen and Tobias Johannessen (both Uno-X Mobility), Belgian champion Arnaud De Lie (Lotto-Dstny) and others.

Cavendish is sure to attract the bulk of attention, though, given his 35 Tour stage wins, and long-running star status.

The will he-won’t he question will also fuel media attention plus multiple spectator requests for selfies and signatures.

The last dance for Cav’

Alongside Tour legends as Froome, Roglic and Nibali, the third edition of the Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium will taste like a final challenge for Mark Cavendish. See you on November 10!

Une dernière danse pour Cav’

Aux côtés de… pic.twitter.com/UWOGeFpaUW

— Tour de France™ (@LeTour) October 10, 2024