Cavendish’s Encore: Chasing Tour de France History in 2024

Mark Cavendish, the Manx Missile, isn’t ready to park his bike just yet. Despite initially announcing that he’d hang up his wheels after the 2023 season, he’s had a change of heart. Why, you ask? Well, it’s all because of that elusive record – the Tour de France stage win record. You see, Cavendish shares it with the legendary Eddy Merckx at 34 wins each, and he’s not willing to call it quits without taking the top spot.

Astana Qazaqstan, the team that’s been his home this year, shared the news with a dramatic caption on social media, saying, ‘It’s not over yet.’ And just like that, Cavendish is back in the saddle for 2024.

Now, you might wonder what changed his mind. Well, it turns out it was a chat with Alexandr Vinokurov, the Astana boss, after his crash in the 2023 Tour de France. Vinokurov basically said, ‘Why not do another year?’ And, as Cavendish puts it, his first reaction was ‘no, no.’ But, after consulting with his family, especially his kids who probably love watching dad race, he decided to give it one more shot.

So, here we are, with Cavendish gearing up for another season as a pro rider. He’s even got some big plans beyond 2024, hinting at wanting to do more for the Astana Qazaqstan Team. Talk about commitment!

Earlier this year, Cavendish was just a whisker away from becoming the record holder, proving he’s still got the speed to match the young guns. But a late mechanical issue and a fractured collarbone brought his Tour to a crashing halt. Yet, his determination remains unshaken.

Vinokourov, the Astana boss, believes that a true champion shouldn’t end their career with a crash. So, he persuaded Cavendish to give it another shot, and they’re ready to go all-in for that historic achievement. They’re even bringing in some new blood, like Michael Mørkøv and Cavendish’s former coach, Vasilis Anastopolous, to make sure they’re firing on all cylinders.

So, folks, get ready to see Cavendish back in action, chasing that record, and leaving his mark on the cycling world. It’s not over yet, and it’s going to be one heck of a ride!