In a Netflix documentary, cyclist Mark Cavendish opened up about a depression he experienced starting in 2018.
Forced to abandon the Tour de France after a crash during the 8th stage, Mark Cavendish makes his comeback in the spotlight in a brand new documentary available on Netflix. The British cyclist speaks candidly, revealing a period of depression he went through starting in 2018, following an illness caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. “I had nothing, I wanted nothing, I did nothing, I felt nothing. I was empty. A feeling of worthlessness,” he said, as reported by RMC Sport on Wednesday.
Struggling with doubts, Cavendish was able to find comfort with the help of Dr. Helge Riepenhof. Their friendship dates back several years when the doctor worked with the Omega-Pharma team in 2014, where the Briton was riding at the time. Aware of the difficult situation the rider was in at that time, the doctor made him promise this: “I think there is a high risk that you will harm yourself or even commit suicide. Mark and I made a deal. I said: ‘Before you harm yourself, call me.'”
A challenging period, which was difficult to endure at the time for the sprinter’s wife, Peta Todd, who explained, “We were arguing over nothing. He was so lost in the middle of everything that was going on.” In addition to Riepenhof, Cavendish chose to confide in Dr. David Spindler, a neuroscientist. He stated, “Peta was extremely worried about her husband. He (Mark) said, ‘Is my life worth it? It’s not worth it.'”
The 38-year-old rider also revealed that he had to struggle with an eating disorder: “The only way to compensate for this was to become lighter. I started eating less and less, as if I had eaten nothing. I stopped eating. The addictive part was the weight loss. I could quickly see that I was losing weight. And it was the first improvement I had seen in a long time.”
As a reminder, the world of cycling is holding its breath as the future of Mark Cavendish remains uncertain. After announcing his well-deserved retirement at the end of a brilliant 18-year career, the Briton may reconsider his plans following his withdrawal from the last Tour de France.
