'We don't expect Mark Cavendish to win six Tour stages,' says Deceuninck - Quick-Step
The Manxman extends his professional career after re-signing with the Belgian squad

Deceuninck - Quick-Step don't expect Mark Cavendish to win six stages of the Tour de France after re-signing the sprinter, but they are looking forward to everything the Manxman will bring to the team.
"The return of Mark Cavendish is a challenge," Deceuninck - Quick-Step sports director Tom Steels told Sporza (opens in new tab). "In the years that he was with us, we have been able to work very well together and also won a lot. Mark is a rider that you enjoy. I am really looking forward to working with him again, even if of course it is no longer the Cavendish of the past. "
The Belgian team's first priority is to help Cavendish enjoy his racing again, and then they believe he can work his way up to winning races again.
"Mark has had a few bad years. On a sporting level, we will have to rebuild step by step. I think we should first of all make sure that he can enjoy racing again," Steels continued. "We want to give him the feeling that he is physically back to normal. If he feels good on the bike, we can watch the sprints again. I have no doubt that he still has the capacity to win races. But fun on the road is the number one priority."
>>> A police officer, architect and a student: Meet the 2020 Zwift Academy finalists
"Cavendish remains Cavendish: that competitive character is still there and he will also find it with us. He can help with the ambitions of the team. The fact there is a fight in every race will please him."
Even if personal glory is beyond Cavendish at this point in his career, Deceuninck - Quick-Step says he will be able to help their other fast men such as Sam Bennett and Alvaro Hodeg, a role he enjoyed at times during his year with Bahrain-McLaren.
"We don't expect Mark to win six stages in the Tour. There are a lot of other races to get up to speed and then we have an extra sprinter, which gives us more opportunities. He also brings a lot of experience. His specific view of sprinting can help guys like Bennett or Hodeg. When Jakobsen comes back, he'll enjoy it too," Steels said.
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.
-
-
Early caution as Geraint Thomas gets his Tour bid underway in Copenhagen
Former winner forgets to take his gilet off before losing confidence through the wet corners
By Simon Richardson • Published
-
'I'm just a farmer's son from Belgium' — Yves Lampaert shocked at winning stage one of the Tour de France
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider says he was hoping for a top ten, but went five seconds faster than anyone else in the time trial
By Adam Becket • 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
-
Bradley Wiggins: It would be a 'real shame' if Mark Cavendish wasn't at the Tour de France
Cavendish's former teammate and Madison partner thinks it would be "crazy" not to pick him
By Adam Becket • Published
-
A look at Mark Cavendish's big day out on stage 16 of the Giro d'Italia
The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl rider made the time cut, but did so much more
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Odd one out: Why was Mark Cavendish in the early break on Giro d'Italia queen stage?
It really is not a day for the fast men in the Alps
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Mark Cavendish wants to continue for 'at least' two more years
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter turns 37 this weekend
By Adam Becket • Published
-
'In the end, what can you do?' — Mark Cavendish misses out on Giro d'Italia stage five sprint
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl sprinter distanced by peloton on climb
By Adam Becket • Published