Mark Cavendish is off to a slower start than expected in his preparations for the 2022 season with Quick Step-Alfa Vinyl after suffering a crash in mid-November, but he is not only leasing another year of his pro career, but also looking at how cycling's growth has opened the door for British has opened its doors to riders, he's looking further ahead, including his own children one day.

Appointed as a replacement for sprinter Sam Bennett for the 2021 season, Cavendish won four stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France. He suffered a major crash in the Ghent 6-day race and was hospitalized for several days with a collapsed lung and broken ribs.

The setback has delayed Cavendish's training and his race calendar is undecided. He said, "I have a general direction, but obviously I was late to start training after the crash. But it's clear that after the crash I was late to start training," he said. I'm happy with where I am."

Cavendish says he is looking ahead to the season despite having the opportunity to look back on his career after equaling Eddy Merckx's record of Tour de France wins last year. He said, "If you start looking back in the short term, you can't move forward. That's been my philosophy throughout my career, and it still is."

"I have a job to do and that is to race my bike. I think it's the same every year, whether I win or not, I do my best. I will do that again."

Cavendish's selection to the Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl team for the Tour de France is not certain. When asked about the 2022 Tour, Cavendish said, "I don't think he will be in the Tour team because the team wants to support Fabio Jacobsen, Cavendish brushed off the question.

"Every cyclist wants to go to the Tour de France. I'm a professional cyclist. I'm a professional bike rider. That's what a professional bike rider does. That's what I did last year. I made sure I fit in every race I went to, even when I didn't know my program. That's what I've done my whole career and that's what I'll continue to do."

At the team camp in Spain, Cavendish roomed with British neo-pro Ethan Vernon (21), helping him feel part of the team family.

"This team is known for being easy to blend in. It doesn't take long to feel welcome and part of the family; in December 2020, I still felt a little new, but by January I felt welcome. I hope the new members of the team feel the same way I did this time last year.

"I think it's important to be a family, not just teammates. Not just in cycling, but almost everywhere. When people connect on an emotional level, performance improves. I don't think it's limited to cycling," he said, adding that he is happy to share his knowledge with young athletes.

"I remember how people supported me when I was younger. I hope that when these kids are my age, they will do the same."

"I am lucky to be able to ride a bike professionally. In Belgium, cycling is in everyone's blood. But to be able to witness the growth of cycling elsewhere in my career is a joy I never thought possible when I started cycling. For future generations and for my children. Cycling is becoming a platform, not a niche sport like it was when I started. I am so happy to witness that.

Cavendish and his partner Peta often bring their children to races. But he becomes more emotional when talking about the improved prospects for female cyclists.

"When I look at the work my female colleagues have done to develop women's cycling, they are laying the groundwork for my daughter to have the option to ride a bike. 'I can be emotional. They are building my daughter's future, and I should be grateful."