'It's not over yet' – Mark Cavendish to race on in 2024, target Tour de France record
Sprinter stays with Astana Qazaqstan as he seeks record-breaking 35th Tour stage win
Mark Cavendish has opted not to retire and will race on in 2024, signing a new deal with Astana Qazaqstan, with the aim to target the Tour de France stage win record.
The Manxman had announced during May's Giro d'Italia that he would call time on his hugely successful career this winter, but he will return to the peloton in 2024 for an 18th season as he continues his quest for a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage victory.
Cavendish needed time to recover from his complex fractured collarbone and decided on his future but is set to make his return to racing at next week's Tour of Turkey which runs from October 8 to 15.
"It's not over yet" the Astana Qazaqstan announced via social media, with a video showing clips of Cavendish and the Tour de France in a sign of their intentions.
Cavendish then confirmed his plans in a video posted to social media by the team on Wednesday morning, stating that he loved riding his bike after recovering from the broken collarbone he sustained at this year's Tour and saying he took the decision after asking his children what he should do.
"I spoke to the kids and I said, 'What should dad do?' They said, 'Carry on'. It was an odd question. So, here we are – just one more year, hey?" Cavendish said, explaining how he came to make his decision to race on.
"Well, I guess that was me done this year. I announced my retirement. I was looking forward to not having to get up and train in any weather condition, not be away from home, to spend time with the kids," Cavendish said.
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"Ultimately, I'd miss racing. I love racing, but I was happy, I was in a happy place, and I knew I could go out on top. Obviously, it wasn't the finish I hoped for, crashing at the Tour de France. But it is what it is.
"We grew incredibly as a team Astana Qazaqstan this year, and I felt real family, so much so that the first thing Vino said to me when I crashed out in France was 'Why don't you do another year?'
"Nah, nah. Coming back, even from this collarbone - coming back from another injury - was like another time. I was ready, I was at peace, but the more I've ridden this summer I just love riding my bike."
Just one more year, hey? @MarkCavendish pic.twitter.com/ThgdbGaBzfOctober 4, 2023
'As for the plans after 2024, certain discussions are underway'
Cavendish joined the Kazakhstani squad for 2023, winning the final stage of the Giro d'Italia in Rome before heading to the Tour aiming for win number 35.
Things looked promising after he finished second to Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin-Deceuninck) on stage 7 in Bordeaux despite a mechanical problem but disaster struck the next day as he crashed out and fractured his collarbone 60km from the end stage 8.
Almost immediately after the Tour abandon, talk turned to Cavendish's future and whether he might change his mind on retirement. Astana boss Alexander Vinokourov said the following day that the team would offer him the chance to go again next July.
"We'd like Mark to continue in 2024 and race his 15th Tour de France to win that 35th stage," he told L'Equipe. We're ready to offer him that chance, but it's up to him to decide."
Alongside Cavendish's announcement, Vinokourov said that Astana are "seriously reviewing the squad, strengthening the sprint direction, making personnel changes" and that "certain discussions are underway" looking beyond next season.
"There is no secret that the Tour de France and a stage win there was the main goal for Mark. And at Stage 7 he was very close to breaking his historical record. However, a heavy crash a day later crossed out all the plans of both the rider and the team," Vinokourov said.
"I believe that a true champion should not end his career this way. So, I asked Mark if, in a few years, he would regret that he didn’t try again, and, in turn, suggested to reconsider his decision, to stay for another season, and still to try to win a stage in the Tour de France.
"I think Mark thought about it seriously; it's not easy to reconsider the decision already made, but in the end, Mark agreed, and he will spend 2024 as a rider of Astana Qazaqstan Team.
"While this season Mark's arrival in the team was quite unexpected, then for the next year we are preparing thoroughly, seriously reviewing the squad, strengthening the sprint direction, making personnel changes.
"It won't be easy to better the record he shares with Eddy Merckx, it would be a historic achievement, but we have a chance, and we have to use it. As for the plans after 2024, certain discussions are underway, and the team is interested in continuing cooperation with Mark. But, of course, first of all, our thoughts are about the upcoming season."
Astana Qazaqstan have been preparing to support Cavendish in 2024. The team has been busy in the transfer market bolstering their lead-out train for the upcoming season, with Max Kanter arriving from Movistar and Davide Ballerini joining from Soudal-QuickStep.
Michael Mørkøv, the Danish veteran regarded as one of the top lead-outs in the world, is also set to move to the team after six years at QuickStep.
He told Ekstra Bladet in late September that Astana is "a possibility. A good possibility. It hasn't been decided yet, so I can't answer that."
It's not over yet. @MarkCavendish pic.twitter.com/DMIdfi4uqQOctober 4, 2023
Dani Ostanek is Senior News Writer at Cyclingnews, having joined in 2017 as a freelance contributor and later being hired full-time. Before joining the team, she had written for numerous major publications in the cycling world, including CyclingWeekly and Rouleur. She writes and edits at Cyclingnews as well as running newsletter, social media, and how to watch campaigns.