Mark Cavendish joins the Rich Roll Podcast to discuss his life and legacy

The British sprinter went deep into his journey through the sport, navigating the highs and lows of his career and discussed the year ahead within the in-depth interview

20:36, Monday 11th December 2023

George Poole

Junior Writer

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Mark Cavendish has grown into his role as an ambassador of cycling and spoke at length with Rich Roll about his personal development

Mark Cavendish has grown into his role as an ambassador for cycling and spoke at length with Rich Roll about his personal development

In a lengthy interview with well-respected ultra-endurance athlete and podcaster Rich Roll, Astana Qazaqstan's Mark Cavendish has opened up about his battles with depression, the importance of mental health awareness and the changes he has made as a person over his 19-year career to date.

Speaking to Roll ahead of his final season that will see him chase a record-surpassing 35th victory at the Tour de France, Cavendish touched upon many issues including mental health and his own behaviour in the past.

"[I exploit my rivals] a lot less. Clichéd smack talk - which was something I employed quite a lot in the past - I just don't do it now," said Cavendish, amongst many other insights offered up to Roll.

For over an hour, the 38-year-old sat down for an honest and revealing discussion, which sheds new light on the greatest sprinter of all time. Through moments of vulnerability, reflection and candour, Cavendish particularly opened up about his experiences with depression.

"From my personal view about mental health, before I suffered, I thought it was an excuse. In fact, there [are] actual things I see in some of my competitors in the past that if I knew then what I know now... I perhaps preyed on problems that some of my competitors had - without knowing.

"But I just thought, 'snap out of it, what's wrong with you?' I'm not glad I suffered, I wouldn't wish it on anybody, but at least now I can understand... I really thought it was an excuse."

The battles that Cavendish endured through depression, the Epstein-Barr virus and subsequent struggles on the bike were well documented in the Netflix film released earlier this year, entitled 'Mark Cavendish: Never Enough'.

As Cavendish notes, this film was originally pitched as more of a celebration of his many great career achievements, but as the cameras kept rolling, the Manxman found himself suffering through many years of a winning drought. During this time, he was diagnosed with clinical depression and the film charts his journey back to winning ways at the 2021 Tour de France.

As such, the film became less of a highlights reel and more a film about mental health. The topic of men's mental health, in particular, is becoming ever less stigmatised and speaking to Roll in November - a month in which millions of men join the 'Movember' campaign to raise awareness of the issue - Cavendish's comments are particularly pertinent when he admits that he is more comfortable than ever with discussing his own issues.

Mark Cavendish does not fulfil many media engagements these days, which makes his conversation with Rich Roll all the more insightful

"To lay my real self out there, flaws and all, you feel quite a bit exposed actually. I just kind of wanted to close myself off to the world," Cavendish said about the early years of his career.

"There's a lot more impact with [my film] now than what it would just being highlights of my career. Especially now, [mental health] is talked about a lot more, which is great, so you don't mind it."

Cavendish heads into 2024 a changed man to the rider who once dominated the Tour de France

Much of the conversation between Cavendish and Roll centres around personal development, which the former has displayed in abundance from the start of his career. Once the world's most dominant sprinter at the height of his powers, Cavendish would often be seen as abrasive, fiery and a handful - especially when things did not go his way.

But speaking to Roll on the eve of another year at the highest level of cycling, Cavendish cut a mature figure, and will openly admit to having changed since his early years.

"There [were] times in the past when I could have signed 50 autographs and I didn't," said Cavendish. "I wish I knew before I had kids how much that means to sign autographs - kids [are] the reason I know - but probably I was a dick for not realising that before. I could make people perceive me as being nice, but it wasn't that, I was just a dick to be truthful, I didn't really care."

Cavendish was more than happy to meet his fans at the recent Tour de France Prudential Singapore Criterium

Alongside discussing his personal growth and recovery, Cavendish offered a glimpse towards the future, which of course revolves entirely around the 2024 Tour de France. The 34-time stage winner - a record he shares with Eddy Merckx - admitted that next year's route "is a lot, lot, lot harder [than usual]", something which he will have to adapt to.

Cavendish will be 39 years old by the start of the Tour in Italy next year, but the sprinter revels in the confidence of his team and is looking forward to his second season with Astana Qazaqstan.

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"[I'm feeling] good, it starts now," Cavendish said of his preparation. "I've done it 20 times so I know what to do and it's quite nice actually knowing I can build towards July. It was strange for a few years that you had to fight for your place in the team to even get to July, which would affect your preparation.

"It has always been a massive driving factor in my performance, is how committed my teammates are. A strong team is way stronger than a team of strong people."