(Reuters) – Britain’s Mark Cavendish believes he may have competed in the final race of his career following the conclusion of Gent-Wevelgem on Sunday.
The Bahrain-Mclaren sprinter was part of the breakaway during the 232.5 kilometres race between Ypres and Wevelgem and went on to finish 74th.
Speaking to Sporza in a post-race interview, an emotional Cavendish said: “That’s perhaps the last race of my career now.”
Cavendish, who has won 30 stages on the Tour de France and is considered one of the best sprinters in the event’s history, was left out of Bahrain McLaren’s squad for this year’s Tour.
The 35-year-old’s contract with the team is set to expire at the end of this year but talks have been ongoing for a one-year extension.
Cavendish’s comment hinting at retirement came as a surprise because he is committed to line up at Scheldeprijs on Wednesday.
Cavendish won the Scheldeprijs race on his debut in 2007. He followed up with victories in 2008 and 2011 before finishing second in 2013 and 2016.
(Reporting by Hardik Vyas in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond)
