'People think I just sit behind eight people and sprint, I can race,' says Cavendish ahead of return to Worlds
The Manxman confirms he also plans to ride the British National Championships later this year

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
"Only questions about the Worlds please," read the communiqué half an hour before Mark Cavendish's online pre-race press conference in Flanders.
That meant a couple of topics were off the table.
Firstly, his thoughts on the comments from his boss, Deceuninck - Quick-Step's Patrick Lefevere, that women's cycling is a "charity" the Belgian wasn't willing to support. Fellow British star Lizzie Deignan is also present at the Team GB hotel in Belgium and was unwavering in her withering assessment of the 66-year-old a mere 24 hours earlier.
Secondly, his contract renewal with Deceuninck - Quick-Step, which is said to be edging ever closer to being completed.
Even the most amateur of detectives can figure out the snag in these two lines of inquiry and the potential awkwardness that could be thrown up, spattering all over the gigantic elephant in the room.
But still, it's disappointing. Cavendish has been a very vocal supporter of women's cycling for a long time, as recently as this summer when he heaped praise on the "inspirational" Marianne Vos, purposefully highlighting her achievements at the Giro Donne, which was happening concurrently alongside his Tour de France comeback when all eyes were on him.
But we're all grown up enough to know how access works, and it's not much good standing outside a Zoom meeting trying to listen in, so let's just hope his allyship returns once pen is put to paper on the new deal, ey?
So, the Worlds, his first since Qatar 2016.
"Half the team are younger than [me] when I won the Worlds 10 years ago and it makes me feel pretty old," Cavendish admits.
He feels Great Britain has a well-rounded team that can adapt to different situations, that cohesion will be important, and between the strong squad also containing the likes of Tom Pidcock and Ethan Hayter, there are a number of ways in which they could potentially win the race.
Whether a sprint is one of those situations, and whether he could see himself contesting one, is batted away, he won't talk specifics on leadership, and anyway, why heap pressure on his young team-mates? His analysis is the race won't be decided by the parcours or the wind, but how their rivals decide to race on Sunday.
"People think I just sit behind eight people and sprint, I can race. I can race a bicycle, you know? I can adapt to different situations," he laughs. "I race for a Belgium team, I've won a lot of races in Belgium and I think the team deemed me capable of a World Championships in Flanders."
On Pidcock, who missed his appointment with the press after apparently getting lost in the tranquility of his massage (hasn't that happened to all of us at some point?), he says he's already proven himself capable, having recently acquired an Olympic gold medal, but that patience is a virtue.
"I think people forget that he's still only a kid," Cavendish explains. "He's only in his first year as a professional and there's a lot of difference in racing as a professional...but there's no doubt now, he's Olympic champion.
"He's a nice kid he's good in the group," the 36-year-old adds. "Those young guys who grew up together, which I know from my experience when I won the Worlds, I had my mates there. It wasn't just guys coming and racing as a team. Stannard, Thomas, Brad, Steve, Froomey, Millar, most of us grow up together. There's a difference between going to work for someone and going into battle with someone.
"It's quite nice to see those lads have that same bond we had. Going in as that little unit. If you can spot things you can kind of relate to it's nice, as an old man."
Cavendish says he plans to race the British National Championships this year but remains tight-lipped on his other plans for the future.
"Just enjoying racing," is what's ahead for him. "I love riding my bike, I've not got much longer. I think also when I'm enjoying it I perform better, so I'll carry on just doing that."
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
-
When is Black Friday 2023 and how to find the best bike deals
We're already seeking out the best money saving cycling deals in the run up to Black Friday
By Anna Marie Abram Published
-
CW Asks: What three things do you wish you'd known when you first started cycling?
What we wish we had known when we first started cycling.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Annemiek van Vleuten to target Vuelta-Tour-Giro treble again next season
The Dutchwoman plans to retire at the end of 2023
By Tom Davidson Published
-
11 of the best photos from the 2022 Road World Championships
There were tears, hugs and kisses in Wollongong, Australia
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Remco Evenepoel goes long to win the men's World Championships road race solo after stinging attack
The young Belgian was clearly the strongest on the day, but others need to ask themselves how and why they let him go
By Jack Elton-Walters Last updated
-
Annemiek van Vleuten soars to victory in World Championships road race despite broken elbow
The Dutch rider took the second road world title of her career with late attack
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Zoe Bäckstedt retains junior road race title with stunning solo ride at World Championships
The Welsh rider celebrated her 18th birthday with a 58km solo attack and another rainbow jersey
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Julian Alaphilippe says he is 'not the sole leader' for France in the World Championships road race
The Frenchman played down his form in an interview with L'Équipe
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Tobias Foss shocks the favourites to win World Championships time trial
The Norwegian claimed the biggest win of his career, while Filippo Ganna finished in seventh
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Ellen van Dijk claims third time trial title at World Championships
The Dutchwoman won by almost 13 seconds ahead of Grace Brown
By Tom Davidson Last updated