Showing it was the right decision not to defend his title in Wednesday’s Scheldeprijs race, Mark Cavendish has this evening become a father for the first time.
The Briton revealed the news via his Twitter account several minutes ago. “Delilah Grace Cavendish was born a couple of hours ago. She & @petatodd are doing very well. So proud of my girls! Happiest day of my life.”
The Sky Procycling rider had previously said that he wouldn’t compete in the Scheldeprijs event, which he won in 2007, 2008 and 2011.
It is not yet clear when he will next race. In a recent interview with the Guardian, he vowed that becoming a father would make him a better competitor.
"It's already changed me," Cavendish says of the imminent birth. "It's made me more motivated than ever. A lot of people who have kids have said it'll soften me and I'll take fewer risks on the road. But, for me, it's the opposite.
“I want to provide the best possible life for my daughter. I want her to be so proud of me. You know, I never rode just for myself. I did it for my team as well. But this feels different. This feels like I'm riding my heart out for her."
He has set the Tour de France and Olympic road race as his two prime targets for this season.