Cavendish added: "Everything is quantifiable - the power you put out, the weight you are, and that makes it harder for someone who is tactically minded.
"Even when I was younger and not as scientific, I didn't quite 'hit the numbers' so I shouldn't be a professional.
"If so many people just look at the scientific part you can never shine through - it leaves a gap open for someone who looks tactically at things. If everyone looked tactically, it would have made my job a lot harder.
"I never neglected my physical training but it is as important to train your mind to read a situation - to look at results, look at tactics of other teams. I did that and others didn't."
Cavendish delayed his retirement for a year to beat the Tour de France stage record but is happy with his decision to end his professional career.
"I was fortunate to get some extra years out of my career and complete cycling, I guess. The majority of athletes will never get to go out on a fairytale ending," he added.
"The people I turned pro and raced with have all retired, their sons have also retired. That makes me feel old. There is nobody competitive at this age.
"I'm lucky I had the support of my team and family who believed in me because of my tactical side rather than the physical ability."