Le Mans appoints Sir Mark Cavendish ceremonial starter for 94th 24 Hours

Sir Mark Cavendish has been named the official ceremonial starter for the 94th 24 Hours of Le Mans. He will wave the green flag to start the race at 16:00 CEST on Saturday, June 13, and the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO) called the role ceremonial but highly visible, framing the appointment as a scheduling update and a nod to Cavendish’s sporting legacy.

Cavendish, the British road-racing sprinter nicknamed the “Manx Missile,” holds the all-time record for Tour de France stage wins with 35 victories, securing his final stage win and retiring in 2024. He is an Olympic medalist and was appointed a Knight Commander of the British Empire (KBE) in 2024. Cavendish said, "France and me go back a long way," and described Le Mans as "a temple of sport."

Automobile Club de l'Ouest president Pierre Fillon called Cavendish "an outstanding sportsman" and "a fitting choice to begin the event," praising his "dazzling performance and shared passion." The ACO said the selection underscores Cavendish’s high-profile status beyond cycling and continues Le Mans’ tradition of opening the race with high-profile sports figures. Past starters have included Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, LeBron James and Zinédine Zidane, and the appointment adds publicity momentum ahead of the mid-June endurance classic.