Mark Cavendish is a professional cyclist from the Isle of Man, currently racing for Astana Qazaqstan Team. Known for his sprinting prowess on both road and track, he excels in disciplines like the madison, points race, and scratch race. Considered one of the greatest road sprinters ever, he holds the record for most stage wins at the Tour de France, a feat that led Tour director Christian Prudhomme to call him "the greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour and of cycling."
1965: Historical Context of British Cycling
Tom Simpson became the first British male UCI world champion in 1965, marking a significant moment in British cycling history.
May 1985: Birth of Mark Cavendish
Mark Cavendish was born in May 1985.
2003: Selected for British Cycling's Olympic Academy and Island Games Success
Despite initial setbacks, Cavendish was selected for British Cycling's Olympic Academy for junior riders in 2003. He also bagged two gold medals at the 2003 Island Games.
March 2004: First Senior Competition Win
In March 2004, Cavendish achieved his first victory in a senior competition at the Girvan Three Day race.
2005: World Championship Gold and European Championship Points Race Win
Cavendish partnered with Rob Hayles to win gold in the madison at the 2005 track world championships in Los Angeles. He also emerged victorious in the European championship points race.
2005: Cavendish Turns Professional with Team Sparkasse
Mark Cavendish embarked on his professional cycling journey in 2005, joining Team Sparkasse and competing in races like the Tour de Berlin and Tour of Britain.
2005: Cavendish Wins First Madison World Championship Gold
Mark Cavendish secured his first UCI Track Cycling World Championships gold medal in the madison event in 2005.
2005: Cavendish Turns Professional; Secures Eleven Wins
Mark Cavendish's professional cycling career began in 2005, marking a successful start with eleven victories.
2006: Stagiaire at T-Mobile and Tour of Britain Success
Cavendish joined the T-Mobile Team as a stagiaire in August 2006. He achieved notable results in the Tour of Britain, including two second-place finishes and winning the points classification.
2006: Success at Tour de Berlin and Commonwealth Games Gold
In 2006, Cavendish secured two stage wins along with the points and sprint classifications at the Tour de Berlin. He also won a gold medal for the Isle of Man in the scratch race at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.
2006: Commonwealth Games Gold in Scratch Race
Representing the Isle of Man, Cavendish triumphed in the scratch race at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
2007: Tour de France Debut
Mark Cavendish made his debut at the Tour de France, marking the start of his consistent participation in the prestigious cycling race.
2007: Early Career Success at Scheldeprijs
Cavendish won his first Scheldeprijs in 2007, marking an early achievement in his cycling career.
2007: Breakthrough at Scheldeprijs and Debut Tour de France
Cavendish achieved a significant breakthrough in 2007 by winning the Scheldeprijs race in Belgium. He also participated in his first Tour de France but had to abandon the race due to crashes.
2008: Madison Victory with Bradley Wiggins
Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins teamed up to win the madison at the Revolution cycling series held at the Derby Velodrome, marking their first time cycling together since the 2008 Olympics in this event.
2008: Second Scheldeprijs Victory
Cavendish secured his second victory at the Scheldeprijs in 2008, further establishing his sprinting prowess.
2008: Second Madison World Championship Gold with Bradley Wiggins
Cavendish teamed up with Bradley Wiggins at the 2008 world championships in Manchester and won the gold medal in the madison, showcasing their dominance in the event.
2008: Second Madison World Championship Gold and Olympic Disappointment
Cavendish won his second madison gold at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships but faced setback as he didn't win a medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics.
2008: Track Cycling Success and Early Training
In 2008, Cavendish showcased his versatility by winning a scratch race on the track. He decided to begin training earlier for the 2012 season.
2008: Cavendish's Confidence and Assertive Self-Assessment
In 2008, Mark Cavendish's confidence and self-belief were on full display when he confidently declared himself the best sprinter in response to journalists' questions at the Tour de France.
2008: Return to Track Cycling and Olympic Aspirations
Mark Cavendish returned to track cycling after the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, competing at the International Belgian Open in Ghent. He considered participating in the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro after his performance.
2008: Stage Wins and Pink Jersey at Giro d'Italia
Mark Cavendish started his 2008 season strong with two stage wins at the Three Days of De Panne and the points classification. In the Giro d'Italia, he wore the pink leader's jersey as the first Manx rider to do so. He achieved three stage wins before withdrawing to prepare for the Tour de France.
June 2009: Cavendish Publishes Autobiography "Boy Racer"
Mark Cavendish released his autobiography, "Boy Racer," in June 2009. The book, published by Ebury Press, chronicled his cycling journey up to that point, focusing on his experiences during the previous year's Tour de France.
2009: Renewed Rivalry with Tom Boonen and Stage Wins
The year 2009 saw Cavendish reignite his rivalry with Tom Boonen at the Tour of Qatar. Cavendish secured two stage wins in that race and two more at the Tour of California, where he also claimed the points classification.
2009: Surprise Inclusion in World Championships and First Monument Victory
In 2009, Mark Cavendish participated in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships but did not secure any medals. He then shifted his focus to the road, competing in Tirreno-Adriatico, where he won a stage. Cavendish's most notable achievement this year was his victory in Milan-San Remo, his first win in one of cycling's five monuments.
2009: Cavendish Penalized and Faces Criticism at Tour de France
Mark Cavendish was penalized and faced criticism for his aggressive riding style at the 2009 Tour de France. He was deemed to have endangered Thor Hushovd during a sprint, leading to the removal of his points. Cavendish later expressed embarrassment over his comments about deserving the green jersey.
2009: World Championship Absence Due to Illness
Despite being selected for the British team, Cavendish missed the 2009 UCI Road World Championships due to a lung infection.
2010: Delayed Start and Setbacks
Cavendish began his 2010 season later than usual due to a dental issue. His performance was impacted, evident in his 89th place finish at Milan-San Remo. He participated in the Tour of Flanders for experience but did not finish due to a crash.
2010: Team Confirmation and Tour of Missouri Withdrawal
Cavendish confirmed his stay with Team Columbia-HTC in 2010. He aimed to win the green jersey at the Tour de France and the UCI Road World Championships. In the Tour of Missouri, he secured victory in the first two stages but withdrew due to a lung infection.
2010: Vuelta a España Points Classification Win
Cavendish won the points classification in the Vuelta a España in 2010.
2010: Cavendish's Aggressive Riding Sparks Controversy at Tour de Suisse
During the 2010 Tour de Suisse, Cavendish's aggressive riding again came under fire when he was found at fault for a crash. This incident resulted in injuries and withdrawals for several riders, sparking protests from fellow competitors who criticized his riding style and perceived lack of respect.
October 2011: Team Sky Announcement
In October 2011, Cavendish's move to Team Sky for the 2012 season was officially announced, along with teammate Bernhard Eisel.
2011: Road World Championship Victory and Tour de France Points Classification Win
Cavendish became the second British rider to win the men's road race at the Road World Championships in 2011. He also won the points classification in the Tour de France that year.
2011: Sports Personality Awards and Early Training
Cavendish received accolades for his performance, winning the Most Inspirational Sportsman of the Year Award and the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award in 2011. He decided to begin his training earlier than usual, aiming for success in the upcoming season.
2011: MBE Award and Giro d'Italia Stages
Cavendish received an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. He secured stage wins at the Tour of Oman and the Scheldeprijs, tying a record in the latter. In the Giro d'Italia, he won stage ten and twelve.
2011: First Points Classification Win
Cavendish achieved his first victory in the points classification at the Tour de France, showcasing his sprinting prowess.
October 2012: Signing with Omega Pharma-Quick-Step
Cavendish signed a three-year contract with Omega Pharma-Quick-Step in October 2012, starting from the 2013 season.
2012: Historic Four Consecutive Champs-Élysées Stage Wins
Cavendish became the first cyclist to achieve victory in four consecutive Champs-Élysées stages at the Tour de France in 2012.
2012: Criterium Wins, Test Event Victory, and Vuelta Withdrawal
Cavendish dominated the post-Tour criteriums, winning the Stiphout Criterium, Profcriterium Wolvertem-Meise, and Wateringse Wielerdag. He won the London-Surrey Cycle Classic, a test event for the 2012 Olympics. He participated in the Vuelta a Espana but withdrew due to extreme heat. Finally, he won the first and final stages of the Tour of Britain.
2012: Joining Team Sky
Cavendish joined Team Sky in 2012, marking a significant move in his career.
2012: Early Training for Upcoming Season
Cavendish made the decision to begin training earlier than in previous years in preparation for the 2012 season, aiming to be competitive in the Classics.
2012: Victories, Setbacks, and Time Trial Performance
Cavendish started his 2012 season with Team Sky, securing victories in the Tour of Qatar and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. He faced setbacks at Milan-San Remo and the Classics but showcased his time trial abilities with a third-place finish in the Tour de Romandie prologue.
October 2013: Cavendish Marries Peta Todd
Mark Cavendish married model Peta Todd in London in October 2013. This union made him a stepfather to Todd's son from a previous relationship.
November 2013: Cavendish Releases Second Book "At Speed"
In November 2013, Mark Cavendish released his second book, "At Speed," also published by Ebury. This book served as a sequel to "Boy Racer" and covered his cycling career from 2010 to 2013.
2013: Giro d'Italia Points Classification Win
In 2013, Cavendish added another points classification win to his name, this time at the Giro d'Italia.
2013: Giro d'Italia Success
In 2013, Mark Cavendish had a very successful run at the Giro d'Italia, winning the points classification, his third time winning the award across all the Grand Tours. He is one of only five cyclists to achieve this.
2013: Cavendish Barred from Boxmeer Criterium Due to Riding Style
In 2013, organizers of the Boxmeer Criterium in the Netherlands decided to bar Mark Cavendish from the race. This decision stemmed from an incident during the Tour de France where Cavendish bumped Tom Veelers in a sprint finish, causing the Dutch rider to crash.
2013: Tour de France Stage Win
Cavendish won stage seven of the Tour de France, his first stage win at the event since 2013, bringing his total to 26 stage wins.
2013: Joining Omega Pharma-Quick-Step
Cavendish officially joined Omega Pharma-Quick-Step in 2013, marking a new chapter in his career.
2013: Strong Start with Omega Pharma-Quick-Step
Cavendish kicked off his 2013 season with Omega Pharma-Quick-Step by winning the first stage of the Tour de San Luis. He went on to win the Tour of Qatar with four consecutive stage wins and secured a stage victory at the Three Days of De Panne. He placed second at the Scheldeprijs.
2013: Seven Grand Tour Stage Wins
Cavendish had a successful year in 2013, securing seven stage wins across the Grand Tours.
2013: Cavendish's "Photographic" Memory for Race Routes
A 2013 interview highlighted Mark Cavendish's exceptional memory, particularly his ability to recall intricate details of race routes, even years after competing on them.
2013: Return to Giro d'Italia
Cavendish returned to the Giro d'Italia in 2013 after a period of absence. He secured his 16th Giro stage win, bringing him closer to the all-time Grand Tour stage win record.
2014: Tour de France Crash and Return to Competition
Cavendish crashed during the first stage of the Tour de France, causing a separated shoulder that forced him to withdraw. He returned to cycling at the Tour de l'Ain and won the first two stages of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes.
2014: Tour of Britain and Track Cycling Success
Cavendish participated in the Tour of Britain and found success in track cycling, placing second at the Six Days of Ghent and winning the Six Days of Zurich with partner Iljo Keisse. His 2014 season was lackluster compared to previous years.
2014: First Italian Classic Victory
In 2014, Cavendish achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first British cyclist to win the Italian classic Milano–Torino, showcasing his sprinting abilities on the Italian racing scene.
2014: Cavendish Involved in Crash with Simon Gerrans at Tour de France
Mark Cavendish's aggressive riding style continued to raise safety concerns in 2014. During the opening stage of the Tour de France, he caused Simon Gerrans to crash while attempting to push him out of the way during a sprint.
January 2015: Cavendish Launches Rise Above Sportive
Mark Cavendish announced the creation of the Rise Above Sportive in January 2015, a cyclosportive event scheduled to take place in Chester and North Wales later that year.
August 2015: Inaugural Rise Above Sportive Takes Place
The first edition of the Rise Above Sportive, a cyclosportive event founded by Mark Cavendish, was held in August 2015 in Chester and North Wales.
September 2015: Team Change Announcement
Cavendish announced his decision to join MTN–Qhubeka, later renamed Team Dimension Data, for the 2016 season. He was joined by former teammates Mark Renshaw and Bernhard Eisel.
November 2015: Cavendish Receives Honorary Doctorate
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to cycling, Mark Cavendish was awarded an honorary doctorate in science by the University of Chester in November 2015.
2015: One Grand Tour Stage Win
Cavendish secured one stage victory in the Grand Tours in 2015.
2015: Successful Start to 2015 Season
Cavendish had a strong start to the 2015 season, winning multiple races and continuing his success from the previous year, which include two stages and the general classification at the Dubai Tour.
2015: Return to Track Cycling
After a hiatus, Cavendish returned to track cycling in 2015 following his absence since the 2008 Olympics.
2016: Four Grand Tour Stage Wins and First Tour de France Yellow Jersey
2016 saw Cavendish win four stages in the Grand Tours, including stage one of the Tour de France, earning him his first yellow jersey in the race.
2016: Third Madison World Championship and Olympic Silver
Cavendish achieved a third UCI Track Cycling World Championships gold in madison and an Olympic silver medal in the omnium in 2016.
2016: Tour de France Success and First Olympic Medal
Cavendish achieved numerous accomplishments, including winning the first stage of the Tour de France, wearing the yellow jersey, and securing his 30th Tour stage victory. He also won his first Olympic medal, a silver, in the men's omnium.
2016: Tour of Britain Success and Olympic Consideration
Cavendish ahieved victory in the Tour of Britain in 2016, winning stages four and seven. This success, along with his performance at the International Belgian Open in Ghent, led him to contemplate competing in the 2016 Olympics.
2016: Joining Team Dimension Data
Cavendish officially joined Team Dimension Data in 2016 alongside former teammates Mark Renshaw and Bernhard Eisel.
2016: Decision to Forego 2016 Olympics
Despite previous consideration, Cavendish ultimately decided not to compete in the track cycling competition at the 2016 Summer Olympics because of scheduling conflicts with road cycling commitments.
2016: Cavendish Apologizes for Crash Involving Park Sang-hoon at Olympics
Mark Cavendish was involved in another controversial crash at the 2016 Olympics during the men's omnium event. The incident resulted in South Korean cyclist Park Sang-hoon being thrown from his bike and requiring medical attention. Cavendish accepted responsibility for the crash and issued an apology.
April 2017: Cavendish Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus
Mark Cavendish faced a health setback in April 2017 when he was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus. The illness forced him to take a break from cycling for several months.
2017: Exclusion from Tour de France
In 2017, Cavendish faced a major setback when he was not selected for the Tour de France due to strained relationships with his team and health issues. This marked his first absence from the Tour since 2007, and Cavendish expressed his disappointment.
2017: Crash and Withdrawal from Tour de France
Cavendish's participation in the 2017 Tour de France was cut short due to a crash involving Peter Sagan, forcing him to withdraw from the race.
2017: Tour de France Crash and Controversy with Peter Sagan
Cavendish crashed during the fourth stage of the Tour de France and fractured his shoulder blade. The crash involved world champion Peter Sagan, who was disqualified for his involvement. While some argued it was a racing incident, others blamed Sagan for dangerous riding.
2017: Epstein-Barr Virus Diagnosis and Impact on Health
Cavendish was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus, preventing him from competing until the British National Championships in 2017. In 2021, Cavendish revealed that he was wrongly advised by doctors to resume training while still recovering, leading to a decline in his mental health and depression.
August 2018: Epstein–Barr Virus Diagnosis
Cavendish's career faced a challenge in August 2018 when he was diagnosed with Epstein–Barr virus.
August 2018: Return to Racing
In August 2018, Cavendish made a comeback at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina after a period of absence from racing. He finished eighth and expressed his happiness to be back in the peloton.
August 2018: Cavendish Diagnosed with Epstein-Barr Virus Again
Unfortunately, Mark Cavendish experienced another health setback in August 2018 when he was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus for the second time. This diagnosis led to his withdrawal from training and racing to allow for recovery.
2018: Return to Winning Form
Cavendish returned to his winning ways in 2018, securing victories in stages of the Tour of Turkey and the Tour of Belgium. His performance and the absence of teammate Sam Bennett led to his inclusion in the Tour de France.
2018: Racing Season and Injuries
Mark Cavendish started his 2018 season with successes at the Dubai Tour and Tour of Oman, but he experienced a series of crashes and injuries. He fractured his shoulder at the Abu Dhabi Tour, fractured a rib at Tirreno–Adriatico, and suffered another fractured rib, abrasions, and a possible ankle ligament injury at Milan–San Remo.
October 2019: New Team and Six Days of London Success
Cavendish signed with Bahrain–McLaren for the 2020 season and achieved success at the 2019 Six Days of London, finishing second in the madison with Owain Doull.
2019: Olympic Hopes Dashed
Cavendish's hopes of competing in the madison at the 2020 Olympics were dashed when he was not selected for the final round of the 2019–20 Track Cycling World Cup or the 2020 Track Cycling World Championships, making him ineligible for the Games.
February 2020: Tour of Saudi Arabia Debut
Cavendish made his debut with Bahrain-McLaren at the Tour of Saudi Arabia, where he supported teammate Phil Bauhaus to victory. He experienced two crashes during the race.
December 2020: Return to Deceuninck–Quick-Step
After rumors of retirement, Cavendish announced his return to Deceuninck–Quick-Step for the 2021 season, accepting a minimum salary and bringing his own sponsor.
2020: Joining Bahrain–McLaren
Cavendish officially joined the Bahrain–McLaren cycling team, marking a new chapter in his career.
November 2021: Cavendish Publishes "Tour de Force: My history-making Tour de France"
November 2021 saw the release of Mark Cavendish's third book, "Tour de Force: My history-making Tour de France." Published by Ebury Press, this installment delved into Cavendish's triumphant return to form at the 2021 Tour de France.
November 2021: Cavendish's Home Robbed
In a distressing incident in November 2021, Mark Cavendish's house in Essex was robbed at knifepoint.
2021: Reflection on Epstein-Barr Virus and Health
In a 2021 interview, Cavendish discussed the lasting impact of his Epstein-Barr virus diagnosis in 2017, revealing that he was prematurely cleared to train. This led to him pushing his body too hard, resulting in a decline in his mental and physical health.
2021: Second Tour de France Points Classification Win
Cavendish won the points classification in the Tour de France for the second time in his career in 2021.
2021: Christian Prudhomme Calls Cavendish "The Greatest Sprinter in History"
In 2021, Christian Prudhomme, director of the Tour de France, hailed Mark Cavendish as "the greatest sprinter in the history of the Tour and of cycling."
2021: Equalling Eddy Merckx's Record
Cavendish's return to the Tour de France in 2021 was marked by four stage wins, bringing his total to 34, equaling Eddy Merckx's record for stage victories.
2021: Crash at Six Days of Ghent
Cavendish's 2021 season ended prematurely due to a serious crash during the Six Days of Ghent track event. He suffered broken ribs and a punctured lung, requiring intensive care.
2021: Joining Deceuninck–Quick-Step
Cavendish officially rejoined the Deceuninck–Quick-Step cycling team for the 2021 season.
February 2023: Individuals Jailed for Robbery at Cavendish's Home
In February 2023, two men were sentenced to prison at Chelmsford Crown Court for their involvement in the November 2021 robbery at Mark Cavendish's Essex residence.
July 2023: Cavendish Misses Tour de France Record and Abandons Race
In July 2023, Mark Cavendish narrowly missed extending his Tour de France stage win record with a second-place finish on stage 7. Unfortunately, he had to withdraw from the race after a fall during stage 8.
2023: Joining Astana Qazaqstan Team
After starting 2023 as a free agent, Cavendish signed with the Astana Qazaqstan Team, planning to begin his season in Oman.
2023: Cavendish Announces Retirement and Achieves Final Giro d'Italia Stage Win
In 2023, Mark Cavendish announced his retirement plans during the Giro d'Italia. A week later, he achieved a final victory in the race's 21st stage, securing his 17th Giro stage win.
July 2024: Cavendish Breaks All-Time Tour de France Stage Win Record
In a remarkable comeback, Mark Cavendish secured his 35th Tour de France stage win on July 2024's stage 5, concluding in Saint-Vulbas. This victory shattered the previous record for the most Tour de France stage wins.
2024: Breaking the Stage Win Record
Cavendish further solidified his legacy in the 2024 Tour de France by winning stage 5, securing his 35th stage win and surpassing Eddy Merckx's long-standing record.