Cavendish committed to completing 2024 race plans

Sir Mark Cavendish says he is still committed to completing his 2024 title schedule aft receiving his knighthood astatine Windsor Castle.

Cavendish, 39, has not competed since he collapsed nan Tour de France shape wins record pinch his 35th triumph successful July.

The 'Manx Missile' said pursuing nan last shape of his 15th Tour this summertime that it was "likely" nan last title of his career.

On his early successful nan sport, Cavendish said: "I've still sewage races this year. I'm still training for them, it will beryllium really bully to title arsenic a Knight Commander."

Cavendish first hinted astatine status astatine nan extremity of nan 2020 season, having not won astatine nan Tour since 2018, but returned to shape nan pursuing year.

After nan heartbreak of his race-ending clang successful 2023 erstwhile connected nan verge of history, Cavendish delayed his status and signed a statement hold pinch nan Astana-Qazaqstan Team until nan extremity of nan 2024 season.

And while he did not corroborate immoderate status plans, he reiterated that he would not title nan Tour again.

"I've already said I won't do different Tour de France," Cavendish said.

"That's nationalist knowledge, I won't do different Tour de France."

Cavendish, from nan Isle of Man, surpassed nan legendary Eddy Merckx successful Saint Vulbas, having jointly held nan grounds for astir Tour shape wins pinch nan Belgian since 2021.

Widely regarded arsenic nan top sprinter of each time, Cavendish has won 165 races since 2005, including nan 2011 world roadworthy title, while he besides won Olympic omnium metallic astatine Rio 2016.

On receiving his knighthood connected Wednesday, Cavendish said: "I was really nervous. His royal highness was superb. I didn't honestly cognize I'd beryllium nervous, but I'm truthful incredibly proud of representing nan country.

"I americium very fortunate to person sewage to do what I emotion for truthful galore years, and to spot different group inspired by that and riding bikes themselves."

He added: "It wonderful. You know, I'm conscionable a lad from nan Isle of Man, to beryllium a Knight Commander, that's not thing I could ever person dreamed of."