World champion and 2011 Tour de France green jersey winner Mark Cavendish will make his racing debut in Sky colours at the Tour of Qatar on February 5, the team confirmed on Tuesday.
Cavendish is part of an eight-man squad fielded by British-based Sky at the Tour of Qatar over February 5-10. Cavendish then continues in the Middle East, taking part in the Tour of Oman over February 14-19.
At the end of the month, Cavendish will race in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne in Belgium.
Tour de France hope Bradley Wiggins will kick off his 2012 campaign at the Volta ao Algarve in Portugal over February 15-19.
Sky are currently competing in the opening WorldTour event of the season, the Tour Down Under in Australia. Its team consists of Edvald Boasson Hagen, Alex Dowsett, Mathew Hayman, Danny Pate, Michael Rogers, Chris Sutton and Geraint Thomas.
Team Sky early season rosters
Tour of Qatar, February 5-10
Davide Appollonio, Michael Barry, Mark Cavendish, Bernhard Eisel, Juan Antonio Flecha, Jeremy Hunt, Christian Knees, Ian Stannard
Challenge Mallorca, February 6-10
Alex Dowsett, Chris Froome, Sergio Henao, Thomas Löfkvist, Lars-Petter Nordhaug, Richie Porte, Salvatore Puccio, Luke Rowe, Kanstantsin Siutsou, Xabier Zandio
Tour of Oman, February 14-19
Davide Appollonio, Michael Barry, Mark Cavendish, Bernhard Eisel, Mathew Hayman, Jeremy Hunt, Ian Stannard, Chris Sutton
Volta ao Algarve, February 15-19
Edvald Boasson Hagen, Chris Froome, Thomas Löfkvist, Lars-Petter Nordhaug, Luke Rowe, Kanstantsin Siutsou, Bradley Wiggins, Xabier Zandio
Giro di Sardegna, February 21-25
Sergio Henao, Peter Kennaugh, Danny Pate, Richie Porte, Salvatore Puccio, Ben Swift, Geraint Thomas, Rigoberto Urán
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, February 25
Michael Barry, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Bernhard Eisel, Juan Antonio Flecha, Mathew Hayman, Jeremy Hunt, Christian Knees, Ian Stannard
Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, February 26
Michael Barry, Mark Cavendish, Alex Dowsett, Juan Antonio Flecha, Mathew Hayman, Jeremy Hunt, Ian Stannard, Chris Sutton
Related links
Tour Down Under 2012: Cycling Weekly's coverage index
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1