In a new documentary, Mark Cavendish discloses the depths of his sadness

In a new video, Mark Cavendish reveals the depths of his sorrow before to his comeback in the Tour de France in 2021.

In 'Mark Cavendish: Never Enough,' which will be released on Netflix on August 2, the Manxman and his wife Peta Todd discuss the toll his struggle with the Epstein-Barr virus and severe depression took, as well as his spat with former team leader Doug Ryder.

Cavendish won four stages of the 2021 Tour to equal Eddy Merckx's record of 34, but it came after several seasons marred by illness and injuries, as chronicled in Alex Kiehl's documentary, which includes fresh interviews and behind-the-scenes video.

Cavendish was diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus in April 2017, which may induce persistent exhaustion. He was authorised to begin the Tour de France that summer, only for a stage four accident with Peter Sagan to put a stop to it.

On the eve of his last ever Tour de France, we’re excited to announce new documentary MARK CAVENDISH: NEVER ENOUGH.

The film charts the rise, fall and resurrection of a genuine sporting great as he attempts to prove the doubters wrong and make cycling history. Coming 2 August. pic.twitter.com/DmGeqKu3HF

— Netflix UK & Ireland (@NetflixUK) June 30, 2023

The infection, however, had not vanished, and his battles had only escalated, placing a burden on Cavendish and those around him.

"You don't go from being the best in the world to not even being capable," says Cavendish in the film. "How did it happen?" It resulted in stress at home. I was a pain to live with."

Cavendish's wife, Peta, claims he was "not really him at the time," putting strain on their marriage. "We fought over nothing." He was completely engrossed in everything that was going on."

"I didn't know this version of him, but I was sleeping in the same bed...," Peta says later in the video. I was afraid of exceeding my limit and not being able to return."

Cavendish's private life was not the only source of conflict. In 2016, Team Dimension Data recruited him to help them reach the WorldTour level, and he earned four Tour stage wins in his rookie season.

However, as his sickness began, the dynamic shifted. Things came to a head during the 2018 Tour de France, when Cavendish finished ninth after missing the time cut on stage 11 to La Rosiere.

Ryder had previously referred to Dimension Data as "a sinking ship" and convened a team meeting. It was a watershed point in Cavendish's relationship with Ryder, who would keep his star rider out of the Tour de France the following summer, against the recommendation of sports director Rolf Aldag.

"Doug starts off, 'I'm getting it in the neck from the sponsors, we're not anywhere near it,'" Cavendish recalls. This is insufficient'.

"I'm like, 'Doug, all the crap you're saying. You are the one who signed the contracts. Don't blame it on us. We're doing our best." And he didn't like it when I said that. He also stormed off the bus."

Ryder declined to be interviewed for the video, but with their permission, Kiehl used behind-the-scenes footage recorded by his crew.

Cavendish paid a visit to his old team doctor, Helge Riepenhof, following the Tour. Cavendish should not have raced since Epstein-Barr virus was still present, according to tests. He was also diagnosed with serious depression and was on his way to the hospital.

"I wasn't sure he'd get out of the depression unless he stopped cycling," Riepenhof adds. "(Whether) to recommend that he stop cycling, leave all the pressure behind, and start a new life."

Dimension Data subsequently hired psychologist David Spindler at a time when Cavendish, according to Aldag, was telling people his career was ended.

Spindler recalls Cavendish's location and adds, "I think there's a high risk that you harm yourself or even commit suicide." Mark and I struck an agreement. 'Before you do anything to yourself, call me,' I urged."

The film's conclusion is more upbeat. Cavendish was granted a career lifeline by his former employer Patrick Lefevere in 2021 after a pandemic-interrupted season with Bahrain-McLaren, and that extraordinary summer followed.

Cavendish had hoped for a record-breaking 35th stage win and a fairytale finish in July after declaring his intention to retire this winter, but a fractured collarbone on stage eight snuffed out that ambition only a day after he came so close in Bordeaux.

Alexander Vinokourov, the CEO of Astana-Qazaqstan, is still hoping to persuade Cavendish to continue racing, and may take note of Cavendish's concluding statement: "I will continue trying to win for as long as I believe I can win."

#PAReady #MarkCavendish #Netflix #PETA #TourDeFrance #EddyMerckx