Mark Cavendish finally decided to announce his retirement from the sport. The 39-year-old British cyclist revealed what most assumed that his final race will be Sunday’s Tour de France Singapore Criterium.

"Sunday will be the final race of my professional cycling career," wrote the 39-year-old British rider in Instagram.

In Singapore today with journalists, Cavendish declined to answer questions on his career and the possibility of racing in 2025. Instead, he provided brief responses about the Singapore Criterium, later sharing on Instagram his deep affection for the sport.

"Cycling has given me so much and I love the sport. I've always wanted to make a difference in it and now I am ready to see what the next chapter has in store for me," Cavendish said in his post.

Cavendish holds the record for the most Tour de France stage wins with 35.

He made Tour de France history last July when he surpassed Eddy Merckx's record, which had stood since 1975. "I am lucky enough to have done what I love for almost 20 years, and I can now say that I have achieved everything that I can on the bike," said the Isle of Man native.

Long Career and Many Wins

Cavendish made his Tour de France debut in 2008 before becoming world road race champion three years later. He won an omnium silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.

Since turning professional in 2005 he had won 165 races, including 17 stages in the Giro d'Italia and three in the Vuelta a Espana.

Hints of Continuing In 2025

Last month, he had said that he "will see" about racing in next year's Tour de France, explaining that he "saw things a bit differently" despite previously vowing not to compete in it again.

He refused to discuss his retirement after finishing third at the Saitama Criterium in Japan last weekend.

"I'd rather not talk about my future," he told reporters, shortly after defending Singapore Criterium race champion Jasper Philipsen suggested that the Manxman would be calling it quits after the race.

Cavendish finished second behind Philipsen in last year's race and the Belgian said the Briton would pose the biggest challenge to his title defense in Singapore.

"It's always difficult to repeat and definitely with this being Mark's last race, I think he's very motivated as well to show off his amazing career that he had for the last time here in Singapore," said the 26-year-old, ahead of Cavendish's own announcement.

"So it will be a tough, tough competition I think."

Other Big Stars In Singapore

The race will feature 36 cyclists from nine teams including four-time Tour de France champion Chris Froome of Britain, four-time Vuelta a España winner Primoz Roglic of Slovenia, and rising Eritrean star Biniam Girmay, who beat Roglic and Cavendish to win last week's Criterium in Saitama.

They will complete 25 laps of the 2.3-kilometre circuit in Singapore's historic Civic District.