Mark Cavendish starting 2019 season with no expectations after return from illness
The Manxman kicked off his season at the Vuelta a San Juan in Argentina
British super sprinter Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) says he is racing with no expectations as he begins racing again in 2019 following six months with the Epstein-Barr virus.
Cavendish began his season in the 2019 Vuelta a San Juan, six months after the RideLondon-Surrey Classic in July. Tests revealed he had been suffering with mononucleosis for around two years.
>>> Six things to look out for in February
"I'm going to race on feelings," Cavendish said on the final day of the race in Argentina.
"I'm not expecting anything for the first three months of the season, that's for sure. I'll always try and the team will support me to try but there's no expectation to do anything. I'm only human at the end of the day."
Cavendish's agreed his long-term goal is to be back to his best for the Tour de France this July.
"I hope so, but we'll see," he added. "I believe so, otherwise I wouldn't be here."
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Manxman has sprinted to 30 stage wins in the Tour and is edging closer to the all-time record 34 held by Eddy Merckx. The virus stopped him in 2018, however and unusually for 33-year-old Cavendish, he went home without one stage victory last July.
For now, it just feels good for Cavendish to pin a number on and race again in the peloton.
"It has. It's nice to gradually get back into and enjoy it more than anything thing. I went from being nervous to enjoying it," explained Cavendish.
"In the last few days I've realised why I ride a bike because I love it [racing] like everyone. Once you enjoy it, it makes you appreciate it."
The San Juan province sits next to the Andes, dividing Argentina from Chile, and produced sapping 40 degree temperatures during the race, which Cavendish found the biggest challenge on his return.
"Here it's been the heat. I know it's the same for everyone but I found it really hard at the beginning of the week. It was a big shock," he added.
"Each day gets better, it always does. It was hard to tell what the fatigue would be like without the rest day [on Thursday] but it's not been the hardest race. That's the great thing about this South American race, the organisers always do a good job."
Cavendish returns to Europe on Wednesday to see his family and heads to the mountains afterwards to train, before racing the UAE Tour. Along the way, he must be aware of the Epstein-Barr virus to make sure it does not flare up again.
"I've got to keep monitoring my blood every month with blood tests. I've got to make sure there's not a trend with the virus," Cavendish continued
"It's hard because a lot of people don't understand it, they think you're ill or you're not ill. But it hangs around forever. I've had it forever. I just have to make sure it doesn't flare up."
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Among market turmoil, Colnago boasts €55 million in sales: CEO shares the brand’s secret
Colnago’s growth has tripled since the brand’s acquisition by new majority stakeholders in 2020 and seems impervious to the downturn. Here's why.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Why e-bike torque numbers matter more than you think
You should choose an e-bike based on torque, not just power
By Paul Norman Published
-
Mark Cavendish to miss Scheldeprijs as illness continues to affect schedule
Cavendish will ride Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye later this month, Astana Qazaqstan confirms
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Astana go all in on Cavendish in his final season, but will the confidence pay off?
The Kazakh team have bet big on the 38-year-old sprinter. Both they and Cavendish need 2024 to work
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish wins his first race in final season after perfect leadout in Tour Colombia
The Briton fended off the challenge of home rider Fernando Gaviria on stage four of the Tour Colombia
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish forced to settle for third in 2024 season opener in Colombia
Astana Qazaqstan rider says Tour Colombia stage one result ‘best debut race for a few years’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish seeking aerobic gains at altitude before focusing on high intensity work ahead of new season
Astana head coach Vasilis Anastopoulos: ‘Cavendish is currently doing lots of hours in the saddle and only short sessions of more intensive work’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish: Altitude training is essential in order to stay at the top of modern cycling
British sprinter will start 2024 season at Tour Colombia in February and will also include two altitude camps in plan
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish reveals details of first race in 2024
Astana Qazaqstan rider will line up at the Tour Colombia after altitude camp in country
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'in shock' at 'toughest' Tour de France route
Astana Qazaqstan rider will have to tackle "hard" race if he wants to break the stage win record
By Adam Becket Published