Mark Cavendish back in action in trio of one-day races after missing out on World Championships
Dimension Data heads to Belgium and northern France for three consecutive one-day races
After abandoning the final stage of the Tour of Britain on Sunday, Mark Cavendish will be back in action with a trio of races in Belgium and France over the weekend.
Cavendish is the stand-out name in the eight-strong Dimension Data squad, with the same riders contesting the Kampionschap van Vlaanderen on Friday, the Primus Classic on Saturday, and the GP d’Isbergues on Sunday.
With all three races expected to finish in sprints (although the Primus Classic having a lumpier parcours), Cavendish is joined by lead-out men Bernie Eisel, Mark Renshaw, and Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg, with the squad completed by Ryan Gibbons, Johann van Zyl, Nic Dougall and Adrien Niyonshuti.
>>> Watch: Mark Cavendish makes one young fan's day at the Tour of Britain
"We have three nice but tough races coming up this weekend," said sports director Jean-Pierre Heynderickx. "Sprints may have decided these races in the past but you will notice it’s never the complete peloton at the line so tactically we must be good.
"For sure everyone will look to Cavendish as a threat but I think we have numerous options with guys like Janse van Rensburg, Gibbons and Renshaw too, so that puts us in a good position to have such a strong team."
After crashing out of the Tour de France in July, Cavendish is still on his way back to full fitness, and raced the Tour of Britain largely as a lead-out man for Edvald Boasson Hagen, who finished second overall.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
With relatively few flat races remaining in the UCI calendar for 2017, Cavendish's schedule for the rest of the season remains to be be decided, although Paris-Tours could be an option.
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
Henry Robertshaw began his time at Cycling Weekly working with the tech team, writing reviews, buying guides and appearing in videos advising on how to dress for the seasons. He later moved over to the news team, where his work focused on the professional peloton as well as legislation and provision for cycling. He's since moved his career in a new direction, with a role at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
-
The Oura ring reviewed: is this wellness tracker helpful to cyclists?
With its focus on recovery and wellness, the Oura ring offers unique insights but is it worth the investment over other wearables?
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Shimano RC703 road shoe review: sleek, stiff and robust
Shimano's second-tier offering combines a rigid carbon sole with handy Boa dials and protective toe caps
By Sam Gupta Published
-
'Finally, you broke the world record' - Inside reaction to Mark Cavendish's historic Tour de France revealed
Astana Qazaqstan have released Project 35, a documentary which shows the journey to triumph
By Adam Becket Published
-
'I haven’t entirely committed to what I’m doing' - Mark Cavendish refuses to rule out racing more, but will run a marathon next year
The Tour de France stage win record holder says that his plan is to head into cycling management
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish to conclude professional cycling career in Singapore
Tour de France stage win record holder to bring curtain down on racing career at ASO end of season criteriums in Asia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish set to end his career at Tour de France Singapore Criterium
Event will be Cavendish's final appearance for Astana Qazaqstan after he won a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage in July
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-
End of an era: Witnessing Mark Cavendish's last ever Tour de France sprint
The Astana Qazaqstan rider finished 17th in Nîmes in what is almost definitely his last ever sprint at the Tour. Cycling Weekly was there to see it
By Adam Becket Published