Mark Cavendish Quick Steps out of Tour Down Under

Mark Cavendish 2012 R

Mark Cavendish has opted out of the Tour Down Under and is set to start the 2013 season with Omega Pharma-Quick Step at February's Tour of Qatar.

The 27-year-old could race alongside new teammate and defending champion Tom Boonen at the February 3-8 stage race in a differing early season schedule.

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Contributor

Sophie Smith is an Australian journalist, broadcaster and author of Pain & Privilege: Inside Le Tour. She follows the WorldTour circuit, working for British, Australian and US press, and has covered 10 Tours de France.