07 Feb 2023 at 16:01
The perpetrators of a violent robbery of Mark Cavendish and his family were sentenced to 12 and 15 years in prison on Tuesday. The robbers took, among other things, two watches with a value of 800,000 euros.
Cavendish was ambushed at home in Essex in November 2021 by four men with knives. They took several valuables, including two Richard Mille watches, Cavendish’s private sponsor. Two suspects are still being sought.
Cavendish had come home two days before the robbery, after a heavy crash at the Six Days of Ghent. After that accident, the rider was even briefly in intensive care with a number of broken ribs and a collapsed lung.
During the hearing, Peta, Cavendish’s wife, spoke about the impact the robbery had on the family. “It has turned our home from a loving place to a constant reminder of threat and fear,” she said.
At the time of the robbery, the former world champion’s wife was in the early stages of her pregnancy. “What was supposed to be a happy time has turned into a period full of stress and worry.”
Cavendish, 37, signed with Astana Qazaqstan this year and will aim to break the record for most stage wins in the Tour de France. He currently shares the record of 34 stage victories with Eddy Merckx. Cavendish will start his season next weekend in the Tour of Oman.
