‘I’ve nonetheless received races this 12 months’ – Mark Cavendish confirms 2024 Tour de France not remaining occasion of profession

Following his record-breaking thirty fifth Tour de France stage win in the summertime, Mark Cavendish’s 12 months of celebrations continued as he was awarded a knighthood on Wednesday.

The 39-year-old was awarded in Windsor Castle by Prince William.  The honour is among the many most prestigious out there within the United Kingdom and is awarded to individuals who have made vital contributions of their area, from sports activities and the humanities to public service, politics and extra.

“I used to be actually nervous. His Royal Highness was very good. I did not actually know I’d be nervous, however I’m so extremely happy with representing the nation,” Cavendish mentioned after receiving his knighthood, reported the BBC.

“I’m very lucky to have gotten to do what I really like for thus a few years and to see different folks impressed by that and using bikes themselves.

“It’s great. You know, I’m only a lad from the Isle of Man, to be a Knight Commander, that is not one thing I may ever have dreamed of.”

Cavendish additionally spoke about his future within the sport. He mentioned that he is set to compete in additional races to finish his 2024 season.

November’s Tour de France Prudential Criterium in Singapore is ready to be the ultimate assembly of his lengthy and storied profession, although it is not clear which – if any – UCI-ranked races he’ll tackle earlier than then.

“I’ve nonetheless received races this 12 months. I’m nonetheless coaching for them, will probably be very nice to race as a Knight Commander,” Cavendish mentioned, earlier than seemingly shutting the door on persevering with his racing profession into 2025.

“I’ve already mentioned I will not do one other Tour de France,” he added. “That’s public information, I will not do one other Tour de France.”

Cavendish final raced on the Tour this summer time, the place he sprinted to a historic stage win in Saint Vulbas, scoring his first stage win since 2021 and breaking Eddy Merckx’s 49-year-old document.

Earlier within the 12 months, Cavendish scored victories on levels of the Tour Colombia and Tour de Hongrie, making him chargeable for three of Astana Qazaqstan’s 11 victories to this point in 2024.