Mark Cavendish may have hinted in recent weeks that he wanted to keep the door open on his racing career, but no changes to his retirement plans have been confirmed, and the atmosphere at the Tour de France's Prudential Singapore criterium is still one of parting ways.

Jasper Philipsen (Alpecin Deceuninck), Biniam Girmay (Intermarque Wanty), Primozh Roglic (Red Bull Bora-Hansgrohe), and Chris Froome (Israel Premier Tech) start Sunday's criterium list, and the cocktails are as iconic to the sport as the Singapore Sling is to the tourists who line up in front of Raffles Long Bar.

From the initial press release announcing the details of the 2024 Games to the social media promotions of the past few days, much of the focus has been on the chance to bid farewell to the riders who have accomplished what no one has ever done before.

“Last chance to witness Manx Missile in action,” was the message on the event's Instagram post.

“TDF's best sprinter will be racing for the last time in the city of Singapore. Don't miss your chance to be part of cycling history.”

Astana-Khavakustan rider, with a record 35 stage wins, was understandably one of the fan favorites at the Saitama Criterium in Japan last week.

Cavendish said that Saitama was “probably my last race in Japan,” but politely declined to talk about his next goal in life or his plans for 2025. The uncertainty over whether this is the end of his professional racing career, stemming from comments he made at the Tour de France route launch, continues now that the focus has shifted to Singapore.

Whether or not Cavendish himself is ready to call Sunday's event the “last dance,” Singapore is bound to enjoy the fact that it is scheduled as such. After all, nothing has been said that clearly confirms that his retirement plans have changed.

The prospect of a farewell celebration adds to the excitement of the crowd-pleasing event on the island, located at the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.

The criterium will be a fitting farewell, bringing a Tour de France atmosphere to tropical Singapore. Cavendish could sign off with a Tour de France theme and enjoy the moment by spreading his passion for the race he loves so much.

Former lead out man Mark Renshaw led him in a discussion at a pre-race sponsor event on Friday evening.

Cavendish said: “The Tour de France has given me a great career and a great life. While this comment may refer to the effort he suffered through the mountain stages after winning his 35th career stage on day five of the 2024 race, his attitude of respect for the race also applies as he tackles the long list of publicity events surrounding the race.

After speaking at the welcoming event on Friday, he was again surrounded by a crowd of autograph seekers, which he quickly obliged. For cycling fans in the region, it is rare to see such a star-studded lineup of riders. It is also a chance to help build enthusiasm for professional cycling in the region by bringing athletes who normally compete in Europe within reach of their normally far-flung fan base.

There is no doubt about the grandeur and scale of what will unfold at the third edition of the Singapore Criterium.

Various stages, stands, and infrastructure have been assembled in Esplanade Park, and barriers have been put up around the criterium course in downtown Singapore, which is normally filled with 10 lanes of traffic. [The 2.3-kilometer-long circuit starts at the start/finish line on Connaught Drive, then turns left onto Singapore River to Esplanade Drive.

It then passes the Theater on the Bay, nicknamed “Durian” for its spiky domed facade, before turning onto Stanford Road and back onto the finish straight.

If Cavendish wins, it could be the perfect parting moment.

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