Mark Cavendish set to return from Ghent Six crash with season debut at Tour of Oman
Cavendish has recovered from the two broken ribs and punctured lung he suffered at the end of November to lead Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl in Oman

Mark Cavendish will return to competitive action at the Tour of Oman for the first time since his heavy crash in the Six Days of Ghent at the end of November, where he suffered two broken ribs and a punctured lung.
The Manxman spent a painful few days in a Belgian hospital before returning home, and proved his recovery by joining a team training camp in Calpe, Spain, last month. He is approaching the 2022 season full of optimism too, with the Tour of Oman his first road race since the Münsterland Giro in October last year.
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider is set to begin his season by leading the team in the sprint stages at the Tour of Oman, which runs from February 10-15, alongside Iljo Keisse, Stijn Steels, Fausto Masnada, Mauro Schmid, Stan Van Tricht and Ethan Vernon.
In a statement released (opens in new tab) ahead of the race, Quick-Step sports director Klaas Lodewyck said: “The Tour of Oman is back and comes with a nice course, with many stage finishes already used at many of the previous editions. We will try to be in the mix with Mark in the bunch sprints, and if possible, do something with Fausto [Masnada] in the general classification.
"He has just returned from a training camp and is motivated to kick off his season. Overall, we go there with a solid team, capable of getting some good results."
Cavendish has previous experience of winning at the Tour of Oman, having won a stage in 2011. Due to cancellations in the previous two years due to the pandemic, the Tour of Oman returns to the calendar for the first time since 2019.
Three of the stages are likely to finish in bunch sprints, with Cavendish up against notable fast-men Arnaud Démare (Groupama FDJ) and Fernando Gavira (UAE Team Emirates).
Over the winter, Cavendish signed a one-year contract extension as reward for an incredible comeback season, which yielded four Tour de France stage wins to move level with Eddy Merckx for victories at the Grand Tour. He might not get the opportunity to add more Tour victories to his tally though, with his Giro d'Italia appearance already confirmed.
Thank you for reading 5 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
Hi, I'm a Trainee News Writer at Cycling Weekly.
I have worked for Future across its various sports titles since December 2020, writing news for Cycling Weekly, FourFourTwo, Golf Monthly, Rugby World and Advnture. I am currently studying for a NCTJ qualification alongside my role as Trainee News Writer at the company.
Prior to joining Future I attended Cardiff University, earning a degree in Journalism & Communications.
-
-
Tour de France jerseys: Yellow, green, white and polka-dot explained
We explain what the yellow, green, polka-dot and white jerseys worn by riders in the Tour de France represent
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Ineos set to launch new Kenyan cycling academy with Eliud Kipchoge - the first man to run a marathon under two hours
The multinational chemicals company will work in partnership with Ineos Grenadiers and Eliud Kipchoge
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Mark Cavendish confident of strong Giro d'Italia but attempts to manage expectations: 'People seem to forget I had a punctured lung at the end of November'
The Manxman seemed motivated in the press conference as he returns to the Italian Grand Tour after a nine-year hiatus
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Mark Cavendish frustrated on final Tour of Oman stage as Jan Hirt wins overall
Sprinter boxed out on stage six finish, as Fernando Gaviria triumphs
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Mark Cavendish loses green jersey and fined at Tour of Oman ahead of stage six
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl penalised by race jury for being pushed back to peloton by car
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish crashes 'quite heavily' on stage five of Tour of Oman
Jan Hirt takes stage win and race lead atop Green Mountain on the penultimate day
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish raring to get 2022 campaign underway at Tour of Oman: 'It doesn't matter how you're going until you compare yourself with the other people'
Cavendish starts his 2022 campaign at the the Tour of Oman on Thursday
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Police search for two men in connection to Mark Cavendish aggravated burglary case
Police have asked people to come forward if they know their whereabouts
By Jonny Long • Published
-
Man charged with robbery at Mark Cavendish's house
A 30-year-old will appear in court today after armed men broke into the cyclist's home last month
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Mark Cavendish full of confidence heading into 2022: 'I’m going to win next year'
The 36-year-old also said that he wouldn't continue racing if he wasn't optimistic of strong performances
By Ryan Dabbs • Published