Sir Mark Cavendish retires from cycling after victorious farewell

Arms aloft in triumph, Sir Mark Cavendish crossed the finish line to clinch the Nov 10 Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium by a whisker.

The Isle of Man native cemented his place in cycling’s history books on a slightly-bigger island nation halfway around the globe.

The Brit, 39, received the perfect swan song after he had earlier called time on his eminent 19-year career — during which he amassed a record 35 Tour de France stage wins, road and track cycling world championship medals, as well as a silver medal from the 2016 Rio Olympics.

An emotional Sir Mark, who picked up his 166th career victory, said: “It’s a beautiful day and a beautiful way to say goodbye. I couldn’t have wished for a better send-off than here in Singapore.

“I realised in the last five laps that it was the last 15 kilometres of my career and I passed the Flamme Rouge for the last time in my career. I felt that, but I was so on the limit.”

Back in Singapore for its third edition, the Criterium format is a shorter race on a closed circuit which tests cyclists’ speed and agility.

With about 5km of the 57.5km-long race to go, Sir Mark was lagging behind the leading trio of Vincenzo Nibali, Chris Froome and Aiman Cahyadi.

Even at the final corner, he was chasing defending champion Jasper Philipsen’s shadow.

But summoning the last of his reserves, the “Manx Missile” produced a trademark sprint to win with a time of 1hr 24min 45sec.

Philipsen came second while his Belgian compatriot Arnaud De Lie completed the podium.

“Actually, I was nervous about crashing or something if I fight, not because of anything wrong but I really wanted to finish my last race,” said Sir Mark.

“I was lucky I was able to get on the wheel and come past him for the final. I could feel De Lie coming, and when I passed Jasper I could feel him speed up but I really wanted that so bad.”

The tributes started pouring in from the moment all 48 riders lined up on the start line.

Forming two rows at the sides, they collectively lifted their front wheels in the air and spun them in concert as Sir Mark cruised through the guard of honour.

Speaking to The Independent, four-time Tour de France winner Froome said: “I think his records will stand. I don’t see anyone coming close to them in the next few decades.”

Thousands of spectators gathered along the 2.3km-long track, with Singapore’s stunning backdrop of skyscrapers towering above, to witness Sir Mark’s final display of brilliance. He did not disappoint.

He added: “(The guard of honour) was incredible. Actually that was the first time I probably got emotional today and it was very, very nice and very unexpected. I was very touched by that.

“What an incredible crowd, what an incredible race, what an incredible group of athletes to finish my career with. To have my wife and friends here is brilliant.

“I’m so emotional, I’m so grateful and I hope everyone enjoyed that.”