Mark Cavendish was once again emotional and introspective as the countdown ticked down to the start of his final Tour de France and his last chance for a 35th sprint stage victory.

Last year in Bilbao, 39-year-old Mark Cavendish believed the end of his career was near and the meaning of retirement was on his mind. Then the Astana Cazaxtan rider crashed out of the Tour, but soon vowed to continue racing in 2024 and return to the Tour de France for the last time.

Now the end of Cavendish's racing career is approaching again, and he is once again emotional as he tries to win a sprint and savor it all.

At the pre-race press conference he admitted, "I feel it again." The TV lights caught the glint of tears in his eyes and the microphone captured the emotion in his voice. [I love this sport. I love everything about this sport, especially this race. This year the start is in Florence, near where I lived for 10 years, and it's beautiful.

"Starting here and going to France is perfect. There's a lot of work to do, but the emotional aspect is so great. I couldn't ask for more. I think I'm more prepared [for retirement] than I was last year. I'm happy, but I'm really glad I kept going.

"Soon I won't have to starve anymore, I won't have to leave Peta and the kids. I'm very excited about that. I have some exciting things to look forward to in the future. I've been very excited about my career, trying to help other people run faster and show them different things."

Cavendish and his Astana Kazakstan teammates can now focus on the first sprint opportunities expected in Turin on Monday after enjoying the hilly stages to Rimini and Bologna over the weekend. Perhaps five or six sprint chances will follow in the first and second weeks.

Cavendish has already tied Eddy Merckx's Tour de France record of 34 stage wins. That is his simple act.

"We wouldn't be here if we didn't think it was possible to win," he said, his ambition momentarily detached from his emotions.

"That's basically what we do as cyclists. Realistically, we have five or six chances. I think everything is in place for that.

"I have nothing to lose. If I don't win, I won't lose 34 Tour stages," he explained, thinking further.

"I've won 34 stages in the Tour, tied with the great Eddy Merckx for the most stages, and it doesn't matter if I win one, two, or ten, I've won all of them. Our job is to win. That's what we do.

Cavendish has indicated that he intends to stay in professional cycling after his retirement, and there are reports that he will join the team in 2025 in Astana Kazakstan, possibly with new Chinese investment and sponsorship.

For the next three weeks, Cavendish will focus on racing. He is still a sprinter and a professional rider.

"I said before I started my career that I would be happy if my name ever appeared in a book with the names of the big riders who will go down in cycling history. If my name is in that book, I'll be happy."

"Now that I've grown up and obviously have kids, I see how they inspire me, not just as cycling heroes or life heroes. That changes the way I look at my position as a sportsman."

"I grew up idolizing some of the bike riders and started racing with them and getting to know some of them. They were a huge influence on me.

"I understand now that I am fortunate to be in a position to inspire not just one generation, but several generations of adults and children. If I can leave an impact that motivates them, that's what matters."

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