Cavendish Defends Cycling’s Reputation Ahead Of Tour

The week after Lance Armstrong faced new doping charges, 2011 World Road Race Champion Mark Cavendish spoke out in defence of cycling’s reputation at the Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club, in front of a packed room of industry executives at Bloomberg’s central London offices – arguing that cycling was the simply the best at catching cheats, resulting in more drug cheats being ousted. 

‘In business, sport or entertainment, there are always going to be people that try to advance themselves through non-ethical ways,’ said the BBC Sport Personality of the Year. ‘Cycling wants a clean sport. Other sports might sweep it under the carpet, but cycling catches its cheats.’

Loyalty was also high on the agenda. With the questions put to him by Sport magazine’s editor-in-chief, Simon Caney, Cavendish explained the initial loyalty shown to him at the start of his professional career by sponsors such as Nike and Oakley should be rewarded, despite bigger offers.

‘When I joined the sport, cycling was a niche sport. It’s not anymore,’ he explained. ‘I’m loyal to the death, but I expect the same in return. I’m very particular with the brands I work with.’

Cavendish insisted, though, that the strong team he has built around him off-the-road allows him to have more focus on his sport than two or three years ago despite the greater demands placed on him as his profile has risen. 

The Sprint King went on to describe the focus required for a sprint finish, just weeks after being taken down metres from the line by Italian cyclist Roberto Ferrari.

‘You’re already in the red when you sprint at the end. That’s the hardest bit about it – you’re already knackered. The last few hours, weeks, months of training all comes down to that last 200m,’ he said. ‘Imagine every Premiership team on the pitch at the same time, being told that they all have to try and score a goal, in one goal, in the 90th minute of a match. That’s what a sprint finish is.’

‘There’s no room for emotion. If you’re thinking emotively you’re not calculating your next move. You can’t have fear, joy, anything.’

Speaking to the room just one week before he goes to defend his Green Jersey at the Tour de France, the cyclist explained what motivates him.

‘There was a bucket list that I set with my coach when I turned pro. I still have a couple to do – but I’d like to win everything again. I’ll set new goals, I’ll always have a target, achieve it, and then set a new one. I don’t want to admire what I’ve done, I want to progress – I’m never satisfied with what I’ve had, I’ve always wanted more. 

‘You can’t always achieve perfection but you can get as close as you can.’ 

The Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club will convene again at Bloomberg in September. To join the club, click here.