Mark Cavendish feeling (relatively) fit and healthy: “I haven’t studied physiology at Uni but you do not just lose it from one day to the next. It’s not possible”

Mark Cavendish says mismanagement of his Epstein-Barr virus has damaged his career and legacy. While conceding that he may never be the same again, the sprinter says that he is starting to feel strong after two seasons where he felt he was, “in races, but not racing.”

Cavendish has spoken before about his treatment for Epstein-Barr Virus, revealing that he spent 16 months racing with it following a misdiagnosis.

“I’d rather smash every bone in my body than have this,” he said speaking to The Cycling Podcast.

“I’ve got blood tests every month now. It was every couple of weeks previously. It’s to see trends really. It will never go. The virus never goes. But I feel strong. The power’s good.”

Expanding on that, he said that racing would ultimately provide a truer test as he has never been able to make the same sorts of effort day-after-day in training.

He added: “It may be that I’ll never be the same again. But I just have to try you know? I know if I put the work in I’m the best. It doesn’t matter what people think. If I’m healthy and I put the work in I’m the best. I don’t see how you can dispute it. Tell me when I’ve ever put the work in, and not been ill, and not been the best?”

Cavendish batted away suggestions he might be finished, pointing to a successful 2016 season shortly before he was diagnosed.

“Do you lose it just like that overnight?” he said. “I don’t think you just lose it from one day to the next. It doesn’t happen. I’m sorry. I haven’t studied physiology at Uni but you do not just lose it from one day to the next. It’s not possible.”