CAV TO BOW OUT RIDING HIGH

SIR MARK CAVENDISH is ready for the "next chapter" of his life after announcing that today's Singapore Criterium will be the final race of his professional cycling career.

- Gary Chappell

Cavendish, 39, secured a record-breaking 35th Tour stage win in July, beating the total of Eddy Merckx.

It was thought this would be his final race but after receiving his knighthood from the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle on October 2, he said: "It will be really nice to race as a Knight Commander." And Cavendish confirmed yesterday, alongside an image on his Instagram page, that today's race in Singapore will be his final outing.

He wrote: "Sunday will be the final race of my professional cycling career. 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.