Manx Missile’s Raceway Officially Open

It’s official – the Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway is now open.

This morning saw hundreds of spectators venture out in the miserable weather to watch the Manx Missile celebrate and open his raceway in Douglas.

The track where a young Cav first caught the cycling bug has got a shiny new name – and it’s all in honour of the Manx Missile himself.

Back when he was just a 10-year-old whizzing around the National Sports Centre in Douglas, little did anyone know he’d go on to smash records and become THE most successful stage winner in Tour de France history.

Now aged 40 and with a whopping 135 wins under his belt, including that record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage last year, it’s only right we slap his name on the spot where it all began.

It’s not just a name change – the NSC track’s had a full glow-up to celebrate Cav’s legacy, with a brand-new mural plastered with the names of hundreds of schoolkids, a shiny podium, proper finish lines, and signs bigging up his jaw-dropping achievements.

The mural even features a quote from the man himself, looking back on those early pedal-powered dreams before he ever lined up for a race: “I dreamed of being like my heroes.”

The Manx Government says it’s all about inspiring the next wave of two-wheeled legends, and giving a nod to the very place where it all kicked off for our island’s fastest son.

Children from several of the island’s primary schools joined in the celebrations this morning.

Speaking to Gef, he said: ‘It’s such a nice feeling, and I hope it inspires the next generation to become the best they can be.’

He even poured champagne over Chief Minister Alf Cannan on top of his new podium. We applaud that.