Mark Cavendish Siblings: All About Andrew Cavendish

Sir Mark Simon Cavendish KBE, born on May 21, 1985, in Douglas on the Isle of Man, is a retired professional cyclist widely regarded as one of the greatest sprinters in the history of the sport.

Known affectionately as the “Manx Missile” for his explosive speed and roots in the Isle of Man, Cavendish began his athletic journey as a track cyclist before transitioning to road racing, where he achieved unparalleled dominance.

He turned professional in 2005 after working in a bank for two years to fund his ambitions, a decision that propelled him into a career spanning nearly two decades.

Cavendish’s Manx heritage remains central to his identity; he has often described the Isle of Man as his true home, where he could simply be “just Mark” away from the pressures of professional cycling.

Retiring in November 2024 after a final victorious criterium in Singapore, Cavendish leaves behind a legacy of 165 professional wins, cementing his status as a transformative figure in British and global cycling.

Siblings

Mark has an older brother, Andrew Cavendish, who has been a quiet but steadfast presence throughout his life and career.

Andrew, who resides on the Isle of Man, has largely stayed out of the spotlight, supporting Mark from afar while pursuing his own interests outside of professional sports.

In a recent interview following his retirement, Cavendish revealed plans to run the Paris Marathon alongside Andrew in the spring, highlighting their strong sibling connection and shared passion for physical challenges beyond the velodrome or Tour peloton.

Career

Cavendish’s professional journey ignited on the track, where he quickly established himself as a prodigy in endurance events like the madison and scratch race.

In 2005, just as he entered the pro ranks with Team Sparkasse, he claimed gold in the madison at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships alongside Rob Hayles, followed by another world title in the same discipline with Bradley Wiggins in 2008.

He also secured Commonwealth Games gold in the scratch race for the Isle of Man in 2006.

Transitioning to road racing, Cavendish exploded onto the scene with 11 victories in his debut season, including early wins in the Tour of the Mediterranean.

His partnership with lead-out man Mark Renshaw became legendary, powering him to multiple stage triumphs in grand tours.

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The Tour de France defined much of Cavendish’s road career, with his first stage win arriving in 2008 en route to six victories that year alone, making him the first Briton to wear the green jersey for consecutive days.

He amassed 35 stage wins there by 2024, breaking Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record on stage five in Saint-Vulbas—a moment of raw emotion shared with his family and team.

Across grand tours, he tallied 55 stage victories, including 17 at the Giro d’Italia, where he claimed the points classification in 2013, and three at the Vuelta a España, winning its points jersey in 2010.

Cavendish’s 2011 season peaked with a rainbow jersey in the elite men’s road race at the UCI Road World Championships, only the second British man to achieve that feat after Tom Simpson.

Challenges marked his path too: a five-year drought from 2017 to 2021, exacerbated by the Epstein-Barr virus, injuries, and depression, tested his resolve.

Stints with teams like HTC-Highroad, Omega Pharma-Quick Step, Dimension Data, and finally Astana Qazaqstan showcased his adaptability, culminating in a tearful farewell at the 2024 Tour de France, where he crossed the finish line in Nice flanked by family.

Off the bike, Cavendish authored autobiographies like Boy Racer (2009) and Tour de Force (2021), and launched the Rise Above Sportive charity event in 2015 to promote mental health in cycling.

Accolades

On the boards, Cavendish earned three UCI Track World Championship golds—in the madison (2005, 2008) and omnium silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics—while his road exploits include the 2011 UCI Road World Championship title and points classifications in all three grand tours: the Vuelta a España (2010), Tour de France (2011, 2021), and Giro d’Italia (2013).

His record 35 Tour de France stage wins stand as the pinnacle, surpassing Merckx and symbolizing his sprinting mastery.

Beyond competition, Cavendish’s contributions earned him the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2011 for services to cycling, followed by a knighthood as Sir Mark Cavendish KBE in the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours.

He claimed the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2011—the third cyclist to do so after Simpson and Chris Hoy—and received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2024, recognizing his 20-year odyssey.

Additional honors include two International Flandrien of the Year awards (2009, 2011), an honorary doctorate from the University of Chester in 2015, and top billing at the 2025 Isle of Man Sports Awards as Sportsman of the Year and Lifetime Achievement recipient.

In a fitting capstone, the Isle of Man Post Office issued a stamp collection in December 2024 honoring his legacy, while Aston Martin appointed him its first Global High Performance Ambassador, blending his athletic prowess with automotive excellence.