Sir Mark Cavendish is relishing the prospect of racing as a Knight Commander as he obtained a knighthood at Windsor Fortress.
The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man completed this season with a record-breaking thirty fifth profession Tour stage win in what he stated would “likely” be his final race.
Nonetheless, he has postponed retirement earlier than, and has since given blended messages about whether or not he’ll race once more.
Requested on Wednesday about his future within the sport, after receiving his knighthood from the Prince of Wales, Cavendish confirmed he nonetheless has races lined up for 2024, however repeated his vow that he wouldn’t compete within the Tour de France once more.
“I’ve still got races this year,” Cavendish stated. “I am nonetheless coaching for them; it will likely be very nice to race as a Knight Commander.
“I’ve already said I won’t do another Tour de France. That’s public knowledge, I won’t do another Tour de France.”
On receiving a knighthood, Cavendish stated: “I used to be actually nervous. His royal highness was excellent.
“I didn’t honestly know I’d be nervous, but I’m so incredibly proud of representing the country.”
He revealed he spoke to William about biking, saying: “I think the last time we met was at the Tour de France in Yorkshire and I crashed at the end of that stage.
“He requested me if I used to be doing anything up there, and he was speaking about my profession, which was very good.”
Cavendish has registered 165 profession victories on the highway, together with the 2011 world title, levels of all three Grand Excursions, and Milan-Sanremo in 2009.
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Biking journalist Michael Hutchinson reacts to Mark Cavendish’s record-breaking 35 stage victory on the Tour de France, three years after matching Eddy Merckx on 34 in the course of the 2021 Tour
He additionally secured a silver medal within the omnium on the 2016 Olympics and is a three-time Madison world champion on the observe.
He mirrored on his lengthy and profitable profession and expressed his delight on the development of the game in recent times.
“I am very fortunate to have got to do what I love for so many years, and to see other people inspired by that and riding bikes themselves,” Cavendish stated.
“Seeing how many people ride bikes now, seeing the growth of cycling in this country now and seeing how successful we’ve become at it… it’s incredibly rewarding to be part of that.
“It fantastic. You realize, I am 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 added one of his children expected him to come out wearing a suit of armour after he was knighted.
“One of many boys thinks I’ll be strolling about in armour,” Cavendish said. “They’re very proud.”
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