SINGAPORE – It was a race finish that couldn’t have been better written for British cycling legend Mark Cavendish, who ended his illustrious 19-year career by winning the Prudential Tour de France’s Singapore Critérium on November 10.

Just as unforgettable as his 166th victory was the guard of honor formed by the 39-year-old rivals before the start of the race at Esplanade Park.

Balancing their bikes on the rear wheels and spinning the front wheels in unison, they formed two rows as the ‘Manx Missile’ sailed between them.

“It was amazing, super nice and actually it was probably the first time I got emotional today. It was very unexpected and I’m very, very touched by it,” said Cavendish, who won a record 35th stage victory at the Tour de France this summer after delaying his plans to retire until 2023.

“It’s always hard not to cry…I’m an emotional guy, you know, but I’m fine. I knew for a while that I would stop.

“What an incredible day to share my last race with these runners, with the future of sprinting as next generation sprinters, to be able to race with them in a final race and to be able to beat them here in Singapore, I am very happy. happy and very emotional.

The criterium route, which started and ended at Connaught Drive along Esplanade Park, spanned 2.3km and also crossed the Singapore River.

It was a quiet start as the Singaporean team – made up of national road race champion Yeo Boon Kiak and runner-up Tong Khoon Fung, national mountain bike champion 23 years old Eamon Lim – retired after the third. turn.

Soon it was Cavendish’s turn to lead the pack alongside his Astana Qazaqstan teammates.

Towards the end of the 25-lap race, 2023 winner Jasper Philipsen looked set to retain his title.

But Cavendish, who was just behind the Belgian entering the final corner, unleashed a final sprint to beat Philipsen by a hair to the finish line.

“I realized in the last five laps that it was the last 15 kilometers of my career and I felt it, but I was so on the limit,” said Cavendish, who had time to watch back before raising his arms in triumph one last time. , to the deafening cheers of the crowd.

“I was nervous about falling or something… but I was lucky. I couldn’t have asked for a better goodbye.