Mark Cavendish's Tour de France preparation disrupted with glandular fever diagnosis
Dimension Data sprinter expected to miss the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of California, disrupting his programme ahead of the Tour de France

Mark Cavendish has been diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis - better known as glandular fever - caused by the Epstein-Barr virus, with his Dimension Data team unwilling to put a date on his return.
The Manx sprinter had already been suffering from an ankle injury that ruled him out of Paris-Roubaix, but will now require a longer period of rest than initially anticipated.
>>> Mark Cavendish wholly focused on Tour de France in 2017
"Mark has been experiencing some unexplained fatigue during training. Recent blood analysis has revealed him to have infectious mononucleosis caused by the Epstein-Barr virus," team doctor Jarrad Van Zuydam said in a statement.
"Unfortunately, there is no effective specific treatment against the virus but rest will be required to aid his recovery."
Watch: Tour de France 2017 essential guide
The team says that Cavendish's main goal remains the Tour de France, but were not able to give a date for his return, and he is now expected to miss both the Tour de Romandie and the Tour of California.
"His training load and symptoms will be monitored very carefully and he will make a gradual, step-wise return to full training and racing," Van Zuydam continued.
>>> Which is the best route to recovery from injury?
"It is difficult to give an accurate estimate of when we can expect him back at full fitness but we are hopeful of a significant improvement of his symptoms over the next two weeks."
Cavendish is far from the first professional cyclist to suffer from the illness, with Team Sky's Beñat Intxausti having contracted the virus in February 2016, and having only competed in two races since.
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
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.
-
-
Geraint Thomas 'helps a brother out', aiding Mark Cavendish's valedictory Giro d'Italia stage win
Cavendish now has one final Giro stage win. Will he get one final Tour de France equivalent in July?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Charlotte Kool wins final stage of RideLondon-Classique to seal overall victory
Kool edges out Dyget and Van der Duin in bunch sprint
By Stephen Puddicombe • Published
-
Geraint Thomas 'helps a brother out', aiding Mark Cavendish's valedictory Giro d'Italia stage win
Cavendish now has one final Giro stage win. Will he get one final Tour de France equivalent in July?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
‘He’s the greatest sprinter of all time’ - Geraint Thomas pays tribute to retiring Mark Cavendish
During Monday’s second rest day at the Giro d’Italia, Cavendish announced he would retire from professional cycling at the end of the current season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'I’ve lived an absolute dream' - Mark Cavendish confirms he will retire at the end of the season
'It’s the perfect time to say 2023 will be my final season' - British sprinter explains retirement decision on second Giro d’Italia rest day
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Tweets of the week: Special guests at the Giro, Carthy does a wizard impression and Cavendish gets a new sprint train
Taking a look through the best of cycling social media in the last week
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Mark Cavendish ‘hungry’ to land first win of the season at Giro d’Italia
British rider is one of several options for Astana at Italian Grand Tour as they go in search of stage wins
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
Complete Giro d'Italia 2023 start list: Who is still in the Grand Tour three days in?
There has not been one abandonment so far in this year's Giro, here's the complete start list
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Mark Cavendish takes 'positives' from record-breaking podium at Scheldeprijs
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider says he will "normally" go to the Giro d'Italia next month
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish takes third at Scheldeprijs, in best result for Astana Qazaqstan
Jasper Philipsen of Alpecin-Deceuninck took the win, with DSM’s Sam Welsford grabbing second
By Tom Thewlis • Published