Mark Cavendish stands as the greatest sprinter in the history of road cycling. Hailing from the Isle of Man, the "Manx Missile" dominated the sport for nearly two decades with his explosive speed and fearless positioning. Furthermore, his career features one of the most remarkable comebacks in sporting history after illness nearly forced him to retire. Consequently, his resilience inspires fans just as much as his victories. Explore these fascinating details about the speedster.
Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish holds the record for the most Tour de France stage wins. Historically, Eddy Merckx held the record of 34 wins for decades. However, Cavendish claimed his 35th victory in 2024, cementing his status as the undisputed king of the sprint.
His nickname is the “Manx Missile.” Fans and commentators gave him this moniker because he accelerates like a projectile and comes from the Isle of Man. Proudly, he often displays the Manx flag, the Three Legs of Man, after his victories.
He suffered from the Epstein-Barr virus for years. This debilitating illness caused extreme fatigue and nearly ended his career in 2017. Therefore, doctors ordered him to stop training completely to allow his body to recover from the chronic exhaustion.
Cavendish worked as a bank clerk before turning professional. Before he found fame on two wheels, he worked at Barclays Bank on the Isle of Man. Fortunately, he saved enough money to pursue his cycling dream full-time in Europe.
He won an Olympic silver medal in Rio de Janeiro. Although he dominates on the road, he also excels in track cycling. He finally achieved his lifelong dream of an Olympic medal by finishing second in the Omnium event in 2016.
Peta Todd, a former glamour model, is his wife. The couple met in 2010 at a charity event in Los Angeles. Together, they have built a family and she remains his fiercest supporter during his struggles with mental and physical health.
He battled severe clinical depression. During his years of injury and illness, he struggled deeply with his mental health. Bravely, he spoke openly about his diagnosis to help break the stigma surrounding mental illness in professional sports.
Surprisingly, he loves Lego. He uses the building blocks as a way to relax and decompress between intense races. He often builds complex sets, such as the Millennium Falcon, to take his mind off the pressure of competition.
He crashed during the very first stage of the Tour de France in his mother’s hometown. In 2014, the race started in Yorkshire, where his mother lives. Tragically, he collided with Simon Gerrans in the final sprint and dislocated his shoulder, ending his race immediately.
Prince William knighted him in 2024. The ceremony took place at Windsor Castle to honor his services to cycling and charity. Thus, he officially became Sir Mark Cavendish, joining the ranks of other British sporting legends.
He possesses a unique physiological ability to sprint in a low aerodynamic tuck. Engineers discovered that he gets lower over his handlebars than almost any other rider. This position reduces wind drag significantly and allows him to reach higher top speeds.
Mark Cavendish won the Green Jersey twice. This jersey rewards the most consistent sprinter in the Tour de France. Impressively, he won it first in 2011 and then again ten years later in 2021 during his miraculous comeback.
A photographer caused one of his crashes. During a sprint finish, his handlebars clipped a large camera lens that a spectator leaned over the barrier. Consequently, the impact sent him flying to the tarmac, highlighting the dangers of roadside fans.
He became a World Champion on both the road and the track. He won the Road World Championship in Copenhagen in 2011 and multiple Madison world titles on the velodrome. This versatility proves his immense talent across different cycling disciplines.
Finally, he delayed his retirement to break the record. Initially, he planned to retire in 2023 but crashed out of the Tour de France that year. Refusing to end on an injury, he signed a one-year extension with Astana Qazaqstan specifically to chase win number 35.
