David Millar: Never write off Mark Cavendish’s Tour de France dreams

David Millar was present and accounted for within the men’s peloton when Mark Cavendish won his first Tour de France stages in 2008 and nearly 16 years on the former pro is confident that the sprinter can take his 35th stage win next season.

Cavendish, 38, currently holds the record for the number of Tour stage wins alongside legend Eddy Merckx, and is gunning for one more win in 2024 having postponed his retirement at the end of this season.

Now a television pundit and author, Millar believes that Cavendish can attain that elusive Tour stage win.

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“I’ve always said that you should never write Cavendish off. I came close in the past, more out of love for him because I just hated what he was going through a few years ago. I guess I underestimated him as well when he was going through his real down period because I just wanted him to get out and look after himself,” Millar told GCN during an interview near his home in Banyoles, Spain.

Cavendish’s career looked over at the end of 2020. A lack of results stemming from health issues saw his status as the number one sprinter in the world drop significantly. He roared back in 2021, winning enough stages to put him on par with Merckx but was left out of the Tour the following year. In 2023 he came close to a stage win before crashing out and Millar is convinced that the sprinter’s mental fortitude keeps him competitive.

© Velo Collection (TDW) / Getty Images

Mark Cavendish is set to make a return to the roads of France in 2024 with his eyes on the outright stage win record

“It’s just insane how much he loves racing. Generally, with elite athletes, it’s their heads that go before their bodies but with Mark, it’s almost as if his head is getting better and that his head is overriding any physical decline. He’s holding himself up there by the sheer mental health that he has. I think he’s got incredible mental health when he’s good, far beyond any other cyclist. The love he takes from it, it’s a really powerful thing,” Millar added. 

“He just needs one day. We almost saw it this year at the Tour, and we did see it at the Giro this year when he won his stage. That was vintage Mark at his best. He needs the stars to align, there’s no doubt about it, but most bike racers need that at some point. There’s so much goodwill around him too, and that’s something that shouldn’t be underestimated in bike racing. If the chips are down in those final chances, part of me wouldn’t be surprised if some riders with nothing to lose, and nothing to gain help him out with leadout and positioning. I think that he’ll do it. And I enjoy believing in it.”

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Millar also believes that Cavendish has more than earned the right to leave the sport on his terms after such a glittering career that has spanned several decades. According to Millar, the sprinter has nothing to lose in his pursuit of that elusive stage win.

“Even if he doesn’t make it to the Tour and he gets three months into the season and the wheels have properly fallen off, no one is going to begrudge him for trying. What he’s doing is absolutely magnificent and he deserved the respect of everyone. It’s a great narrative. He’s already the record holder, so he really does have nothing to lose. I can’t wait to see it.”