Mark Cavendish has revealed he will remain in pro cycling after his retirement from competition this year, adding he has long been planning his move into team management.
The British rider, who claimed a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour de France this year, has also revealed he has taken up running and has already signed up to run the Paris Marathon.
“I speak to (my wife) Peta a lot about replacing the thrill of what I do,” Cavendish told Men’s Health about his plans for next year and beyond. “For me, though, it’s not about stopping, it’s about starting something new.
“I will always ride a bike, but in the past few years I’ve known what I want to do after. I’ve set the wheels in motion for that. I want to stay in management in the sport, I still love it.
Advertisement
"I brought a lot of people to this team (Astana Qazaqstan) over the past two years, and I know what it takes to be successful. I’ve been building up to the moment I’m not racing.”
Related News
He added it will be hard to watch on at races when he is not part of the "bubble" of riders who are competing.
“It’s mad, you’ve been in this one race for a month where your breakfast time is set for you, your schedule for departing, your massage, your dinner – everything is on a tight schedule and laid out for you. All you do is exist and do it. You live in a bubble. It’s hard, but I love it.
“I finished the Tour because I’ve won one in every six or seven races I’ve taken part in, or something like that… Most guys might have one win out of 300, some don’t win at all. With that in mind, the time you have on the bike is just suffering. It’s horrible and that is part of the accomplishment."
He added he was now enjoying running to keep fit and especially liked how convenient it is.
“I will always ride my bike, but I want to run now. It’s pure – get your shoes on and off you go! I’ve already agreed to do the Paris marathon with my brother…
"I’m really looking forward to the time when I don’t have to wake up and do a specific programme on a computer. I can just ride with my friends, it doesn’t matter if I go fast or slow.”
