Cycling great Cavendish bows out with Singapore triumph

Mark Cavendish, arguably the greatest road sprinter in cycling history and record stage winner in the world's biggest race, has retired in style, winning the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore.

The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man, who broke Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's long-standing record for most career Tour de France stage wins with his 35th victory in July, was left emotional by the 166th and final victory of his career on Sunday.

Fittingly, for his final race Cavendish wore No. 35 on his race jersey and won in a dash to the line.

"I'm quite emotional actually. I realised in the last five laps that it was the last 15 kilometres of my career."

But the famed 'Manx Missile' pulled out one final trademark burst to finish just ahead of Belgian riders, Jasper Philipsen and Arnaud De Lie.

"What an incredible day to share my last race with those riders," Cavendish said. "With the future of sprinting, with this next generation of sprinters."

Cavendish had planned to retire after the 2023 season but changed course and returned with the goal of passing Merckx's Tour stage-win record.

On a hot and humid circuit in the final act of his 19-year career, Cavendish admitted: "I was nervous about crashing, or something like that.

"Not that there is anything wrong with that but I really wanted to finish.

"I couldn't have wished for a better send-off."

Cavendish finally ended speculation about his cycling future when he announced his retirement from the sport on Saturday, quashing lingering suspicions that he might even return for another crack at the Tour next year when he'll be 40.

Cavendish made his Tour de France debut in 2008 before becoming world road race champion three years later.

He won 17 stages in the Giro d'Italia and three in the Vuelta a Espana, taking the points classification in the Tour in 2011 and 2021, in the Giro in 2013 and in the Vuelta in 2010.

Cavendish promises that he will remain in some capacity in the sport. "I love this sport. I've always loved it," he said.