Mark Cavendish

'The fuel, the passion that had fired me throughout my career still burned. No work in the world could give me sensations like the ones I experienced in the saddle, winning bike races. I still adored it.' For all the once-in-a-generation talent and success shown throughout Mark Cavendish's record-breaking career and 35 Tour de France stage wins, his story is also one of struggle, sacrifice and the power of human determination. In his final word on an astonishing career, Cavendish shares an intimate insight to his life.

The final word on a record-breaking career from cycling's most formidable sprinter. Mark Cavendish is the stand-out British cyclist of our most golden generation. With his 35th Tour de France win in 2024, he became the outright all-time record holder for the most stage victories at the world's greatest cycling event. Breaking the record that had lasted for 48 years, Cavendish carved his name into history. In this definitive autobiography, he provides an intimate account of his exhilarating career, transporting readers to his most unforgettable racing moments. With incredible photographic accuracy and insight, Cavendish recalls his final poignant victories of the Tour de France, sealing his legacy as one of the greatest road racers of all time. Yet for all the once-in-a-generation talent and success, Mark has always been candid about the personal battle that it has taken to achieve greatness, and his story is one of struggle, sacrifice and the power of human determination. This compelling autobiography offers a rare perspective into the true psyche of a champion. Giving his definitive account with a fully reflective perspective, Mark tells the whole truth about himself and the era of cycling that he has graced.

'I pulled off my glasses and wiped my eyes. "That was perhaps the last race of my career..."' Deep down, Mark Cavendish thought he was finished. After illness, setbacks and clinical depression, the once fastest man in the world had been written off by most. And at the age of 36, even he believed his explosive cycling career would fade out with a whimper. The Manxman hadn't won a single Grand Tour stage in Italy, Spain or France since 2016. But then came his incredible resurrection at the 2021 Tour de France. Included on the Deceuninck Quick-Step team at the very last minute, only after Sam Bennett suffered an injury, Mark set about rewriting history. He claimed back the green jersey he first wore in 2011, and his four stage victories finally saw him matching Belgian legend Eddy Merckx's all-time record of 34 Tour de France stage wins. Cycling greats are never content, and Cav's dogged determination and inner strength had earned him the record that few believed he could ever achieve. This is his own intimate account of that race, right from the saddle of the miracle tour.