Mark Cavendish wins final race before retirement at Tour de France Criterium in Singapore

Britain’s Mark Cavendish, the most successful sprinter in cycling history, ended his career with victory in the Tour de France Criterium in Singapore.

The 39-year-old from the Isle of Man, who said on Saturday that this would be his final race before retirement, triumphed in a sprint finish to end a 19-year career.

Cavendish wore race number 35 to mark his record for stage wins in the Tour de France.

He signed autographs and took selfies with fans before the race and received a ‘wheel of honour’ – other riders held their bikes up on one wheel and spun the other – on the start line of the race, made up of 25 laps of a 2.3km course.

“I’m quite emotional,” Cavendish said. “I realised in the last five laps it was the last 15km of my career.

“I was nervous about crashing or something if I fight [for the lead]. I really wanted that so bad. I’ve always loved this sport.”

Cavendish won 165 races in his career, including the road world title in 2011, 17 stages in the Giro d’Italia and three in the Vuelta a Espana. He received a knighthood in October.

On the track, he won omnium silver at the 2016 Olympics and was a three-time madison world champion.

More to follow.