After winning the Green jersey in the 2011 Tour de France, the Isle of Man’s Mark Cavendish is having a busy time of it and is on TV and radio today.Â
As well as the Post Tour Criteriums in Europe which he admits can be harder than parts of the Tour de France, Mark is also appearing on TV and radio.
Mark celebrates with the riders from the Isle of Man. Photos: Credit John Pierce/PhotoSport International UK USA Asia
The Isle of Man rider who was World Champion at 19 in 2005 when he won the World Madison title with Rob Hayles at the track in Los Angeles, is finally getting some mainstream recognition for his deeds on a bike. Mark is not an Olympic champion, not even an Olympic medallist, but his 20 stage wins in the Tour de France, three on the Champs Elysées, make Mark one of the sport’s legendary sprinters and he is far from finished in his career yet.
Asked on the BBC breakfast show, is he is currently the best sportsman in the country, Mark replied “that isn’t for me to decide … I am not in for that, I just want to ride my bike.†Mark then went on to explain that one of the reasons that makes him so good is his teammates he has around him to help deliver him to the point in the race where he does ‘his thing’. “I am just the ninth part of a machine where one of them has to cross the line with his hands in the air. I just finish the job off.â€
Mark on the podium in Paris. Credit John Pierce/PhotoSport International UK USA Asia
Looking back at the moment he held off the challenge of Norway’s Evald Boasson-Hagen and crossed the line first on the Champs Elysées, he admits it is pretty special place to finish a bike race. “It is one of the most beautiful boulevards on the planet and to finish a bike race there is special. You cross the finish line and see the Arc de Triomphe and that is something I dreamed of as a kid and it doesn’t disappoint, I can tell you that.â€
Mark then went on to explain that he hates losing and is a perfectionist and that is perhaps what makes him better than his rivals. “Ever since I was a kid in everything I did, I was a perfectionist and hated losing. I had to be the best.â€
Mark then followed up that interview with one on Radio 5 Live where he talked about the fact next year he’ll be finishing on the Champs Elysées one week and then the following week, hoping to win his first Olympic medal in London in the road race. Mark is also expected to be racing in the Olympic Test event on August 14 in London.
Mark protected by one of his HTC teammates. He admitted on radio today that he has made up his mind on which team he will ride for, but not what team… Credit John Pierce/PhotoSport International UK USA Asia
What team will Mark ride for in 2012? The answer will no doubt come in the next month or so as Mark confirmed he will announce it in a few weeks. Credit John Pierce/PhotoSport International UK USA Asia
Mark admitted on radio 5 Live that in the early stages of his career, he resisted attempts to have him in the Sprint programme for GB so he could ride the Tour de France. Good choice Mark! Chris Rhymer / PhotoSport International UK USA Asia
Part of a very elite selection on the podium in the Tour de France and the other jersey winners. Credit John Pierce/PhotoSport International UK USA Asia
