Mark Cavendish announces he will RETIRE from professional cycling at the end of the season

British legend Mark Cavendish has revealed he will retire from professional cycling at the end of this year.

The 38-year-old said he wants to spend more time with his family as he announced the news along with his wife and four children at a press conference during the Giro d’Italia’s rest day on Monday.

Cavendish is currently battling for Astana Qazaqstan at the Italy race, which ends in Rome on Sunday, and he will then turn his attention to chasing a record 35th stage win on his final Tour de France in July. The Manx Missile could end its career at the Tour of Britain in September.

“I have absolutely loved racing every kilometer of this race so far so I think now is the perfect time to say that this is my last Giro d’Italia and 2023 will be my last season as a professional cyclist Cavendish said.

‘Yesterday I celebrated my 38th birthday. Cycling has been my life for over 25 years. I’ve been living an absolute dream and the bike has given me the chance to see the world and meet great people.

Cavendish, 38, won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, just one of his many achievements

Widely regarded as one of the best British sprint riders, Cavendish also claimed the green jersey at the 2011 Tour de France

“It taught me so much about life: dedication, loyalty, camaraderie, teamwork, sacrifice, humility, and perseverance. These are all things that I, as a father, can now show to my children.

“Today is my son Casper’s fifth birthday. I am lucky that it is a rest day and I can see my beautiful family and spend his birthday with him. It’s important to me that I can be there every birthday now for my wife, Peta, and all of our children.

“At this point, I don’t need to talk about my short-term and long-term plans. For this last period I just want to enjoy what has made me happy for the past 25 years – and that is simply racing.’

Cavendish is cycling’s most successful sprinter of all time, with 161 wins since turning pro in 2005, including 53 stage wins in the three Grand Tours and the 2011 World Road Championship title.

He twice won the green points jersey at the Tour de France, where his record of 34 stage wins is matched only by legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx.

On the track, he has won three world gold medals in the madison and an Olympic silver in the omnium in Rio 2016.

Cavendish joined Kazakh side Astana Qazaqstan of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl in January, although he has yet to win in his new team’s colours.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said: ‘I would like to congratulate Mark on a truly outstanding career.

Without question, Cav is the sport’s greatest sprinter and will be remembered by fans around the world for his 53 Grand Tour stage wins. months of racing.

The rider, who hails from the Isle of Man, is currently competing in the Giro d’Italia, an event where he has won 16 individual stages.

Cavendish (right) appeared on the scene in 2005, winning his first gold medal in Madison at the 2005 Los Angeles World Track Championships

Cavendish celebrated his 38th birthday earlier this week with a cake at the Giro d’Italia

“From a British cycling team perspective, we have seen him win rainbow jerseys on both road and track, a silver medal at the Rio Olympics and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year title in 2011.

“What strikes Cav most as an athlete is the overwhelming sense of pride he displayed every time he donned both the UK cycling team and the UK national champion jersey – a quality we aim to instill in every member of our team.

Professional and passionate, Cav has been a real asset to our team over the years and will be remembered as both a peerless rider and a fantastic teammate who has time for everyone.

We wish him all the best, both for the rest of his final season in the peloton and for the next phase of his career.”