?I?m feeling strong and I?m confident.? Mark Cavendish told Cycling Weekly on Wednesday morning, just hours before starting the Scheldeprijs one-day Classic in Belgium.
Scheldeprijs was Cavendish first big win as a pro last April. Looping in and out of Antwerp and largely flat, it?s a Classic which has traditionally favoured the fastmen.
?It?s always nice to be back with number one on my back.? Cavendish, who will be supported by GB Madison gold partner and High Road team-mate Bradley Wiggins at Scheldeprijs, said. ?That?s a special feeling.?
The High Road professional has been training consistently and without problems since Ghent-Wevelgem and he says ?the form is there. I?ve put in good work and I?m feeling more confident.?
With German sprinter Gerald Ciolek also forming part of the High Road line-up, Cavendish argues that ?it?s not out of the question we?ll be sprinting for first and second.?
?We could both go for it. We?ve certainly got a team that could line it out in the last three kilometres.?
Last year, Cavendish beat fastmen of the calibre of Erik Zabel (Milram) and Robbie McEwen (Silence-Lotto). This year, the bar is even higher for Cavendish, with Paris-Roubaix winner Tom Boonen (Quick Step) also lining up alongside the two veteran sprinters.
Steve Cummings and Geraint Thomas are down to ride for Barloworld in the Scheldeprijs, giving Great Britain a total of four riders in the event.
