The day began with a walk of honour, as Cavendish made his way to the starting line through a guard of raised wheels held by his fellow professionals – a tribute that spoke volumes about the respect he commanded among his peers. The race itself was fast and furious, with breaks flying from the very start. The heat and humidity of Singapore added to the challenge but it all came down to the much-anticipated sprint in the final metres.
As Cavendish crossed the line ahead of Jasper Philipsen and Arnaud De Lie, it was as if time stood still. The cheers echoed around the circuit, and the emotion was palpable. “I realised in the last 5 laps that it was the last 15 km of my career,” Cavendish said afterwards, his voice tinged with emotion. “When I passed the flamme rouge for the last time, I felt it. The heat here is not nice for me but I was so on the limit.” It was a raw and honest reflection, the kind we had come to expect from Cav over the years.
This final victory was not just about the win – it was about celebrating a career that had inspired so many. Cavendish was surrounded by riders who represented the future of cycling, and he shared his appreciation for being able to finish his journey with them by his side. “What an incredible day to share my last race with those riders, with the future of sprinting, with this next generation,” he said.
The Singapore Criterium course was a 2.3 km loop that highlighted the contrasts of the tropical city-state. From the modern Marina Bay Sands to the historic Empress Place, the backdrop was as dynamic as the race itself. The peloton surged through hairpin turns, along rivers, and past iconic landmarks before the final sprint unfolded on the finishing straight.
After the race, Cavendish spoke about what lay ahead. “I’m going to dinner and I’m going to have a few drinks with my teammates. I’m incredibly lucky to have a great group of boys here from Astana Qazaqstan with me – some friends as well as teammates – and I want to go and celebrate with the riders, with my friends, with my wife in Singapore.” It was the perfect way to cap off a career defined by an undying passion for the sport.
Now, as his career winds down, we look back not just at the victories but at the spirit Cav brought to cycling. He gave us moments that defined a generation of the sport – moments that made us jump out of our seats, moments that brought us together as fans. He showed us that comebacks are always possible, and that passion can push the boundaries of what we think is achievable.
For all the victories, crashes, comebacks, and tears, Mark Cavendish’s legacy is clear. He was one of the greatest sprinters the sport has ever seen – one who took us along for an unforgettable ride.
