Mark Cavendish to race Tour of Slovenia in preparation for Tour de France 2019
The Manxman has used the race as preparation for the Tour every year since 2016 but has never won a stage in Slovenia
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) will race the Tour of Slovenia as he prepares for his 13th Tour de France.
The Manxman currently has the second-most stage wins of any rider, with 30 victories, and trails record-holder Eddy Merckx by only four, with Cavendish certainly looking to get closer to this number again at the 2019 edition of the race.
>>> Experts study Tour de France to pinpoint limit of human endurance
Cavendish has used the Tour of Slovenia, a five day stage race running from June 19 to June 23, to warm-up for the Tour de France, and has done so every year since 2016. Surprisingly, however, he has never won a stage of the race, coming closest in 2017 when he finished second on the final stage to Sam Bennett (Bora-Hansgrohe).
Dimension Data will take two sprinters to the race, with Giacomo Nizzolo also being included in the squad. Cavendish's lead-out men Mark Renshaw and Bernie Eisel will also be in attendance, with Lars Ytting Bak, Jay Robert Thomson and Jacques Janse Van Rensburg rounding out the squad.
Mark Cavendish recently announced he had, at least for now, beaten the Epstein-Barr virus that has held him back for the past two years.
The 34-year-old revealed at a press conference during the Tour of California that a blood test showed he was below threshold for being sick with Epstein-Barr, with Cavendish saying that he will now "be able to go and challenge for some race wins".
"Normally I would have had a lot of racing by now," the Manxman continued. "But the last couple of years I haven’t done much early in the year because I’ve been sick, but now I’m finally healthy again and I feel human after a couple of years.
"My last blood test a couple of weeks ago was the first time for two years that I’ve been under the threshold for being sick, and so it’s a massive relief and hopefully I can get back to doing good things. I’m actually able to build on my form now."
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 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.
-
-
Tech of the Month August: Magnesium bikes, wheels and pedals; new Vittoria tyres and Enve's Melee road bike
Are magnesium alloys really the wonder material they're cracked up to be?
By Stefan Abram • Published
-
Commonwealth Games 2022: Aaron Gate wins the men's road race for New Zealand in a dramatic sprint finish
New Zealander lands a fourth gold medal at the games after beating Daryl Impey of South Africa
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Mark Cavendish withdraws from Tour de Pologne to focus on Commonwealth Games
British National Champion due to compete in the road race on Sunday for the Isle of Man
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'He's going to win some big bike races' - Tom Pidcock hails Sam Watson as he turns pro with Groupama-FDJ
U23 British National champion has impressed his French team and more besides
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
‘I know I’ll win again’: Mark Cavendish confident of returning to victory at future Tour de France
Cavendish says he has no plans to retire after missing out on this year’s race
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Jasper Philipsen: Mark Cavendish not being here played a role in Tour de France stage win
Alpecin-Deceuninck sprinter ends long wait for win at "highest level possible"
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish expected to leave Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl at end of the year
‘I know that he wants to do two more years in the bunch... but he's not part of our project’ - Patrick Lefevere on Cavendish’s future with the Belgian team
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
No Mark Cavendish or Julian Alaphilippe at Tour de France for Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl
Fabio Jakobsen selected as team's sprinter for the race which begins on Friday in Copenhagen
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Julian Alaphilippe expected to miss the Tour de France
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl set to leave out the two-time world champion
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Mark Cavendish sprints to his second British National Road title
The Manx missile put in a stellar performance in Scotland to secure the second National road title of his illustrious career
By Pete Trifunovic • Published