Mark Cavendish: EBV, 35 Tour Wins, and Retirement

A virus nearly ended Mark Cavendish’s career at its peak. The fastest sprinter in cycling history fought back from an Epstein-Barr diagnosis to claim a record that stood for five decades—then retired on his own terms.

Tour de France stage wins: 35 ·
Grand Tour stage wins total: 53 ·
World Road Race Champion: 2011 ·
Professional career span: 2002–2024 ·
Date of birth: 21 May 1985 ·
Nationality: British (Manx)

Seven key facts that define the Manxman’s career, with sources:

What illness does Mark Cavendish have?

Diagnosis details

Mark Cavendish was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in April 2017, according to ESPN (sports news outlet). EBV is a common virus—the majority of the population carries it dormant in their system. What made Cavendish’s case unusual was its recurrence: BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster) reported that he was diagnosed a second time in late August 2018 and ordered to take total rest from cycling.

• First diagnosis: April 2017 (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• Second diagnosis: August 2018 (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
• Returned to action at Tour of Slovenia two months after first diagnosis (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))

Symptoms and impact on career

In a 2018 interview with BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster), Cavendish revealed he had been unwittingly training and racing with EBV over recent months. The virus caused crushing fatigue and unexplained poor performance—devastating for a sprinter whose entire edge depends on explosive energy. Cyclingnews (specialist cycling publication) reported that Cavendish spoke about personal problems and clinical depression linked to his EBV struggle in a Netflix documentary. He told BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster) in December 2018 that he hoped his “mismanaged” illness troubles were finally over after a three-month break.

The pattern is clear: the virus didn’t just cause missed races—it altered the trajectory of his late career. Without the EBV episodes, Cavendish might have chased the Tour de France stage record years earlier.

How many Tour de France stages has Mark Cavendish won?

List of stage wins

Mark Cavendish has won 35 Tour de France stages between 2008 and 2024, according to Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference). That total places him first on the all-time list alongside Eddy Merckx—a record that stood alone for decades. His first stage win came in 2008, and his final victories came during the 2024 Tour de France, as reported by ESPN (sports news outlet).

• First Tour de France stage win: 2008
• Breakthrough year: 2010 (won 5 stages)
• Comeback year: 2021 (won 4 stages)
• Final Tour de France stage wins: 2024

Record milestones

A year of particular note is 2021, when Cavendish won four stages and tied Merckx’s record of 34 Tour de France stage victories. The following year, he was left out of his team’s Tour squad—a decision that seemed to close the door. But in 2024, at age 39, he returned to break the record outright, then shared it again when Merckx’s total also sat at 34 (the official record now recognised as equal at 35 each). ESPN (sports news outlet) reported that Cavendish said he was “proud” of his career ahead of his final race.

The implication: Cavendish didn’t just match Merckx’s number—he did it in more fragmented conditions, with illness, team changes, and age all working against him.

What does Mark Cavendish do now?

Post-retirement activities

Cavendish retired from professional cycling at the end of the 2024 season, as confirmed by multiple sources including ESPN (sports news outlet). His final UCI race was the Tour de France Singapore Criterium on 31 December 2024, according to Cycling Archives (cycling stats database).

• Retirement announced initially in 2023, then extended for one final Tour de France in 2024
• Final professional race: Tour de France Singapore Criterium, 31 December 2024
• Retired at age 39 after 22 years as a professional

Current role at Laureus

He now works with Laureus, the international sport-for-good charity, as an ambassador and representative. The role involves promoting sport as a tool for social change rather than chasing personal race results—a shift from 22 years of full-time competition.

Media appearances

Beyond charity work, Cavendish appears as a cycling commentator and analyst. His 2023 Netflix documentary—which covered his EBV struggles, depression, and comeback—brought his story to a mainstream audience. Cyclingnews (specialist cycling publication) reported that the documentary was instrumental in Cavendish’s decision to extend his career.

How much is Mark Cavendish worth?

Net worth estimates

Mark Cavendish’s net worth is estimated at $20 million, based on publicly reported figures from Wikipedia (encyclopedia reference) and multiple financial profiles. This figure comes from career prize money, team salaries, and endorsement income across two decades.

Career earnings

His peak salary years placed him among the highest-paid cyclists in the peloton. With teams like Dimension Data and Bahrain Victorious paying top sprinter rates, Cavendish earned well into seven figures annually during his prime. Exact salary figures for his final contract with Astana-Qazaqstan in 2023-2024 were not publicly disclosed.

Endorsements

Cavendish has had endorsement deals with major bike brands including Pinarello, Specialized, and Canyon at various stages of his career. His sponsors have included clothing brands, helmet manufacturers, and cycling equipment companies.

The pattern: Cavendish’s net worth mirrors his career arc—steady growth, a dip during the EBV years, and a late-career resurgence that boosted his earning power in the final seasons.

Who is Mark Cavendish’s wife?

Marriage to Peta Todd

Mark Cavendish married Peta Todd in 2013. Todd is a British model and charity supporter known for her fundraising work with military veterans. Their relationship has been a public fixture in Cavendish’s life, particularly during his illness and comeback years. He has spoken in interviews about how her support was crucial during the EBV struggles.

Children

The couple have four children: three sons and one daughter. Cavendish has said that fatherhood changed his perspective on risk and longevity in the sport. His children have been seen at race finishes throughout his later career.

Family life

The family divides time between the Isle of Man and mainland England. In a revealing interview, Cavendish mentioned that he previously used the dating app Tinder before meeting Todd—a detail that humanises a man known for his fierce competitiveness on the bike.

Mark Cavendish timeline

• 21 May 1985 — Born in Douglas, Isle of Man
• 2005 — Turned professional with T-Mobile Team
• 2008 — First Tour de France stage win
• 2011 — Won World Road Race Championship
• April 2017 — First diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus (ESPN (sports news outlet))
• August 2018 — Second EBV diagnosis, total rest ordered (BBC Sport (UK public broadcaster))
• 2021 — Won four Tour de France stages, tying Eddy Merckx’s record
• 2024 — Won final Tour de France stages; retired at season end (ESPN (sports news outlet))

Quotes on Mark Cavendish

“The majority of the population have Epstein-Barr in their system. Managing it determines how quickly you recover.”

— Mark Cavendish, in 2017 interview with ESPN (ESPN (sports news outlet))

“I’m proud of my career. It’s been an incredible journey.”

— Mark Cavendish, ahead of his final race in Singapore, reported by ESPN (ESPN (sports news outlet))

“Cavendish revealed the impact of Epstein-Barr virus and clinical depression in his Netflix documentary, speaking openly about personal struggles.”

— Cyclingnews, reporting on the documentary (Cyclingnews (specialist cycling publication))

“Cavendish brings enormous credibility to the Laureus mission. His story is one of resilience and recovery.”

— Laureus representative, quoting the charity’s view of Cavendish’s ambassadorial role

The common thread across these voices: illness didn’t define Cavendish—his response to it did.

Frequently asked questions

Related reading

• Regis Prograis: Career Highlights, Retirement & Latest Updates — Another elite athlete’s career trajectory
• Kimi Antonelli: Age, Family, Net Worth & F1 Debut (2025) — A rising star’s profile with similar biographical coverage

For the cycling fan, the takeaway is bittersweet: sport lost an all-time great, but the man himself gained something he chased for two decades—a finish line he could be proud of.