Mark Cavendish has won 162 races but his most recent win on the final stage 21 of the Giro d’Italia in central Rome clearly meant a lot to him.
The Giro d’Italia may be Cavendish’s last race in Italy before his retirement, and he’s been on an emotional and physical roller coaster since he recently confirmed his retirement at the end of the season.
Cavendish hugged his teammates and staff after the finish in Piazza Venezia, at the foot of the spectacular Altare della Patria monument, and hugged the dozens of drivers who congratulated him, including Geraint Thomas, who helped him with a high-speed lead.
“It’s beautiful, what a way to end my Giro d’Italia,” said Cavendish.
“My first Grand Tour win was here in Italy, in Reggio Calabria in 2008, so winning in Rome is special. It’s my first time driving here, so it’s super nice to win.
“I couldn’t have ended my racing career in Italy better than winning in Rome. It’s a beautiful place to race. It’s perfect, really perfect.”
Cavendish confirmed Geraint Thomas helped him take the lead in the final kilometers by setting up the peloton at high speed, with the Welshman admitting: “I thought I was helping a brother.”
Cavendish then passed Jonathan Milan (Bahrain Victorious) and slipstreamed from Fernando Gaviria. As other riders tangled and Pascal Ackermann (UAE Team Emirates) crashed into the barriers, Gaviria opened his sprint early and gave Cavendish a perfect final lead.
Cavendish confirmed that he asked Thomas for help.
“I kind of jokingly said, ‘Would you like to do a lead out?’ Then he just yelled: “Cav!” And I did it,” Cavendish explained, praising Thomas as a passenger and friend.
“He’s very special and has been one of my best friends for years,” he said.
“We saw yesterday how upbeat and upbeat he is despite losing the Maglia Rosa. That’s a treat for him, he’s always been like that. He always sees a half full glass. That’s why he’s special.
“More than a great cyclist, he’s a hell of a person and a friend.”
Cavendish agreed it was a fairytale ending to his Giro d’Italia.
He was fourth in Salerno, third in Tortona and even eighth in the rain in Viareggio after a hilly stage over the Apennines, but as so far in the 2023 season he eluded a win.
“To win with the boys, my friends and teammates, it’s one of those special stories that you have to do emotionally and tell with your hands like the Italians do,” Cavendish said.
“I’ve suffered a lot in the last two weeks. Like many people I was sick. There is no way I would have made it through the mountains and to Rome without my boys around me.
“I’ve been part of some incredible teams and you just know when you deserve a break. We earned something from this Giro and I am happy to deliver it for the team.”