Great Britain's Mark Cavendish has announced that he will retire from professional cycling at the end of the current season.
The 38-year-old, who is regarded as one of GB's greatest cyclists of all time, equalled Eddy Merckx's record of 34 Tour de France stage wins in 2021, where he took the points classification title for a second time after also donning the green jersey in 2011.
Cavendish, who currently rides for Astana Qazaqstan Team, made the announcement during a press conference at the Giro d'Italia, where he currently sits 122nd in the general classification and ninth in the points standings after 15 stages.
The Briton's 2023 Giro run has been hampered by a series of crashes, and he told reporters this week that he would be calling it quits at the end of the 2023 campaign in order to spend more time with his family.
"I've absolutely loved racing every kilometre of this race so far, so I feel it's the perfect time to say it's my final Giro d'Italia and 2023 will be my final season as a professional cyclist," Cavendish said.
"[On Sunday] I celebrated my 38th birthday. Like many others I've been struggling with sickness during the race as well as the effects of some unfortunate crashes. To get me through, I can't thank this group of friends enough.
"Right now there's no need to talk about my short - and long-term plans - I'll always be a cyclist, that's for sure. But for this final period I'd like to just enjoy doing what's made me happy for the last 25 years, and that's simply to race.
© Reuters
"Cycling has been my life for over 25 years. I have lived an absolute dream and the bike has given me the opportunity to see the world and meet some incredible people.
"It's taught me so much about life - dedication, loyalty, companionship, teamwork, sacrifice, humility and perseverance - all things that now, as a father, I can show my children.
"Today it's my son Casper's fifth birthday; it's a rest day and I can spend that with them now. Now it's important to be there for every birthday, every school concert - important I can be there for them."
As a track cyclist, Cavendish first rose to prominence by winning madison gold at the 2005 World Championships in Los Angeles, one year before taking Commonwealth Games gold in the scratch race.
Cavendish was also crowned world madison champion in 2008 and 2016 - winning Olympic silver in the omnium in the latter year too - and he has developed a reputation as one of the finest sprinters to ever grace the road.
The 38-year-old has won a total of 161 separate stages, including 53 at Grand Tour events - 16 at the Giro d'Italia and three at the Vuelta a Espana alongside his 34 Tour de France triumphs.
Cavendish topped the points classification at the 2010 Vuelta a Espana and 2013 Giro d'Italia, but he endured three injury and illness-hit years between 2017 and 2020 after being diagnosed with Epstein–Barr virus.
Ben Knapton
