NICE, France: Mark Cavendish signed off on his record-setting Tour de France performance on Sunday by admitting he had "probably" competed in the final race of his career.
The 39-year-old Briton achieved a record 35th stage win in this year's Tour which took him past the mark of Belgian icon Eddy Merckx.
Asked at the finish line on Nice's Promenade des Anglais if the 2024 Tour had been his final day in the saddle, Cavendish replied: "It's probably yes."
Cavendish set his record on the fifth stage of this year's race at Saint-Vulbas, 16 years after his first success.
He had to toil to reach the finish line before the time cut-off several times during the mountain stages.
"I am absorbing what is happening to me. I let go of a large part of the emotions on Saturday. Now I can really savour it all."
The 2011 world champion covered Sunday's 33.7km time-trial between Monaco and Nice at his own pace, taking advantage of the last kilometre to high-five spectators before bidding farewell to the Tour with a wave.
He then embraced his two children and his wife after the finish line before being honoured by organisers on the official podium. — AFP