Mark Cavendish is making his return to cycling at the Tour of Turkey after a month away from racing. The 38-year-old is training in Greece with his coach Vasilis Anastopoulos in preparation for the ProSeries race starting on April 21. Cavendish will be competing for Astana Qazaqstan in a field that includes other sprinters such as Sam Welsford, Danny van Poppel, Fabio Jakobsen, and Aaron Gate. The eight-day race covers a 1,253-kilometre course from Antalya to Istanbul.
Having not competed since March due to illness, Cavendish is looking to get his final season back on track. Initially announcing his retirement during the 2023 Giro d’Italia, Cavendish changed his mind after crashing out of the Tour de France before breaking the record of 35 stage wins. He now aims to secure at least one more stage victory at the Tour de France before stepping back from cycling. After the Tour of Turkey, Cavendish plans to compete at the Tour of Hungary in May before heading to the Tour de France, scheduled for June 29 to July 21.
In an interview with Road Code, a video platform by Velon, Cavendish denied that he was extending his career because of an addiction to sprinting. He explained that while he enjoys sprinting, it is not an addiction for him, but rather a natural talent and a strategic aspect of the sport that he excels at. Cavendish emphasized the tactical element of sprinting, describing it as a game of chess where understanding opponents, conditions, and finishes are essential to winning. He finds joy in the strategic planning and execution required in sprint finishes.
As Cavendish prepares for the upcoming races, including the Tour of Turkey, Tour of Hungary, and the Tour de France, he is focused on making the most of his remaining time in cycling. Despite setbacks due to illness, Cavendish is determined to add to his impressive list of stage wins before retiring from professional cycling. His return to competition signals his commitment to finishing his career on a high note and achieving his goals in the sport. Cycling fans can look forward to watching Cavendish in action as he attempts to secure more victories in the races ahead.
