Cavendish Speaks at Pedal Club Dinner

The Pedal Club always strives to find interesting and prominent speakers and October’s guest was of the highest quality – Mark Cavendish. (Words Chris Lovibond, Photos Phil O’Connor)

Cavendish Speaks at Pedal Club Dinner

NEWS: Pedal Club Lunch, October 2025 — The Pedal Club always strives to find interesting and prominent speakers and October’s guest was of the highest quality – Mark Cavendish. (Words Chris Lovibond, Photos Phil O’Connor)

Phil Liggett and Mark Cavendish. Photo: Phil O’Connor

His invitation was based on the need for a signature on his Golden Book page, but we hoped we would learn more about the man and his career; we were not disappointed. After an introduction by Phil Liggett, Mark gave a brief acceptance speech: he made it clear that he was well aware of the significance of the Golden Book, which has been signed by all the greats of British cycling since the nineteen thirties. His understanding of cycling history was also emphasised by his comment – ‘I always loved the club system, which was my start. Now it’s not doing so well, I wish we could do something to help it.’ We learned more from the later question and answer session.

On the pro scene, he told us that there is worry in some quarters that team budgets are unsustainably high, risking the possibility of a collapse. Perhaps following on from this point, he feels that pro cycling is becoming disconnected from the rest of the cycling world. It was once the pinnacle; now it seems to have become a thing apart. As for signing pro contracts at sixteen, he believes this is too young and that some sort of apprenticeship scheme should be available. He told us that his own son already thinks, incorrectly, that he is a pro cyclist!

Mark Cavendish. Photo: Phil O’Connor

The UCI, he said, is easy to criticise, but he is sympathetic to many of the technical restrictions the organisation imposes, for example handlebar width regulation. There is pressure from those who want to popularise new products, but while technical advance may have benefits, it should not affect the attractiveness of the sport, particularly in respect of safety.

Of himself he said that originally he wasn’t interested in fame, just wanting to ride and race. He recognised his good luck in having enjoyed a great career which had allowed him to meet a wide range of interesting people. Asked for his best career moment he replied: ‘Retiring, and taking the computer off my bike.’

It was clear that Mark was aware that his experiences had developed him as a person, and after hearing him it is easy to believe that, while some of his early press coverage was not always flattering, the mature Mark Cavendish will be an excellent ambassador for cycling.

Unsurprisingly, this meeting attracted more would be attenders than the dining room at the Civil Service Club has room to hold, so the number was the maximum possible: sixty five.

Chris Lovibond, October 2025.

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