Mark Cavendish has confirmed his early season racing schedule, including a return to Milan-San Remo.
The Brit has partnered up with his old mentor Rod Ellingworth at Bahrain-McLaren for 2020 as he strives to put the struggles of recent seasons behind him.
Cavendish, 34, will open his season at the new Tour of Saudi Arabia in early February to kick off a three-week racing block in the Middle East.
He will also ride Milan-San Remo this year, before heading on to the cobbled Classics.
Cavendish will be looking to return to the Tour de France this season, after he was dropped from the Tour squad by Dimension Data last year.
A spokesperson for Bahrain-McLaren said: “Our performance staff will decide about his next part of the season (also about the Tour de France) upon his performance and condition. The goal is to win some stages.”
“Mark is in this moment at the training camp in Altea in Spain. He is training hard and he is very much motivated to perform well in the coming season.”
After the Tour of Saudi Arabia, Cavendish will race in the Tour of Oman and the UAE Tour – all strong proving grounds for the sprinters – before heading back to Europe for Tirreno-Adriatico in March.
Milan-San Remo will be the biggest race of Cavendish’s early season schedule, as a Monument designed for the sprinters and a race Cavendish won back in 2009.
According to Bahrain-McLaren he will then go on to the cobbled Classics.
In recent seasons, Cavendish has struggled to reach his best after struggling through illness and crashes, but he hopes to be reinvigorated by the move to Bahrain.
>>> Egan Bernal and Richard Carapaz will open their seasons next month
Former Team Sky and British Cycling coach Rod Ellingworth has taken over as team principal at Bahrain-McLaren, which prompted Cavendish’s transfer from Dimension Data.
Ellingworth and Cavendish have a long history of success, starting at the British Cycling Academy and on to their World Championship victory in 2011.
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
Belgian sets new World Record by riding 3,619km in a week
Matthieu Bonne staged his attempt in Arizona desert
-
Specialized's radical frame design breaks cover and it's not on the bike we expected
The distinctive 'compliance junction' feature is matched with FutureShock suspension and generous tire clearances on the Sirrus Carbon flat-bar bike
-
Signing of Mark Cavendish leads to end of Scicon's Astana Qazaqstan sponsorship
Cavendish along with several other teammates currently wearing Oakley sunglasses during competition
-
‘That’s not bad’ - Mark Cavendish pleased with first podium finish for Astana at UAE Tour
The British road champion recorded his best race result since joining Astana Qazaqstan
-
Speed Demons of the peloton: The six best sprinters of 2022
We take a look at the standout performers of the fast men and women in the professional scene this year
-
Where next for Mark Cavendish after B & B Hotels-KTM's collapse?
We look at where the ‘Manx Missile’ could find himself next after the collapse of B & B Hotels-KTM
-
British UCI Continental team makes pitch for Mark Cavendish’s signature
Saint Piran boss Ricci Pascoe says he would gladly provide a short term place for Cavendish, if it helped him to achieve Tour de France dream
-
B&B Hotels, the team that was set to sign Mark Cavendish, collapses
Multiple riders left scrambling to find places on alternative teams after demise of French ProTeam confirmed
-
B&B Hôtels boss: 'Mark Cavendish wants to be with us. I want him to be with us.'
Team's hunt for sponsors intensifies after missing UCI registration deadline
-
Time running out for B & B Hotels, the team expected to sign Mark Cavendish
Team still without major sponsors as UCI impose deadline of 22 November for team to complete registration for new season
