PROFESSIONALS | 06/16/2024 | 08:20
by Giorgia Monguzzi
There is a rider in the group, or rather in a few days it will all be official. No fear, no sword or armor, we always talk about cycling with Cannonbal Mark Cavendish who will soon assume the title of Sir at the behest of King Charles III. The news arrived yesterday on the occasion of the celebration of the birthday of the sovereign of England and fell into the Tour de Suisse caravan where Cav is refining his preparation for the national championships and above all for the Tour de France.
Yet Mark Cavendish, 39 years old, with the Astana Qazaqstan team, announced his retirement last year, then came the victory in the last stage of the Giro, then the lack of success at the Tour (fall in Limoges and broken collarbone) and the desire to continue came as a result. This year there are already 2 victories, one at the Tour of Hungary and one in Colombia, but given the rapidly growing condition of “Cav”, they could soon become much more.
«It all happened in a very strange way – Cavendish said – the other day a government lieutenant called me to tell me the news. I thought it was a joke, but it’s all true. I am truly honored and I can’t even describe what I feelin my career I have made many sacrifices, I have done everything to obtain results, but I never imagined becoming a knight. When you want to win a race you have to train a lot, but for such recognition all this is not enough because it was King Charles III who decided it for my service to the country. I tried to read the names of the other people who will be honored with me, they are writers, scientists, they have all done incredible things, I’m honored».
Mark Cavendish’s eyes light up as he talks news whose importance he perhaps has not yet fully realized. He has won practically everything in his career, stages at the Vuelta, the Giro, the Tour, a Sanremo and the 2011 world championship, many successes on the road to which must be added the incredible ones on the track wearing the Great Britain jersey. Mark Cavendish has crossed the finish line many times with his arms in the air, won awards and thrilled us, but knighthood is something that cannot be classified.
Cannonball struggles to explain what has happened in the last few hours, after the Tour d Suisse he will fly to England to receive the coveted recognition and make everything official. In the meantime, however, his mind is already thinking of July, of the three weeks of the Tour de France where he will try to become the first rider to win 35 stages and who knows, with the title of Sir everything could have a different flavour.
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