Mark Cavendish explains why he thinks Deceuninck - Quick-Step are so successful
The British sprinter said he is feeling part of a team with his old squad
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Mark Cavendish has shared his thoughts on why Deceuninck - Quick-Step have been so successful over the past 20 years.
British sprinting star Cavendish has returned to the Belgian WorldTour squad for the 2021 season, saying he has the feeling of being part of a team.
The 35-year-old previously raced for the outfit run by Patrick Lefevere in 2013-15, winning 44 races for the team.
Cavendish is now back in Deceuninck colours and said the team’s ethos hasn’t changed.
Speaking ahead of his second race of 2021, Le Samyn on Tuesday (March 2), Cavendish said: “There are only five riders actually the same as there was last time I was here but fundamentally it is the same team.
“They're not trying to reinvent the wheel, just go out and race, keep it pretty simple, and enjoy the race. Don't look at the power output, just trying to collectively work together to get across the finish line first and have fun.”
He added: “There's an incredible team ethos there. It's special, I felt that the last time I was here and that hasn't wavered. you can see my relationship with Patrick, to be led like we are, that's a massive factor in why the team has performed for the last 20 odd years.”
Cavendish made his 2021 debut for Deceuninck last month in the Clásica de Almería, but missed out in the final due to a mechanical.
He will line up with the same squad in Belgium this week, as he races Le Samyn for the first time since 2007, along with former winner Florian Sénéchal.
On what he learned from his season debut in Spain , Cavendish said: “You don't really get too much from one race back to be fair
“What I know is I felt part of this team.”
Cavendish previously said he felt like a pure racer again in Almería and has shared more thoughts on what it takes to sustain your career.
>>> Strade Bianche to go ahead despite Siena re-entering coronavirus lockdown
He said: “Enjoying racing is quite important for anybody who wants a long career in sport. There's still the same races there always was. Maybe the racing style has changed a lot, but fundamentally the stakes are still the same. We go out to try and win bike races and to provide publicity for our sponsors. I love riding my bike and actually there's no better place to do it than here at Deceuninck - Quick-Step.”
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Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
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