Cavendish not expected to be back to best

Tom Steels (former sprinter) speaking about the Mark Cavendish signing for Deceuninck-Quick Step : “We don’t expect Mark Cavendish to win 6 stages in the Tour, but I have no doubt he can still win races.

Cavendish not expected to be back to best

From Sporza: Tom Steels (former sprinter): “We don’t expect Mark Cavendish to win 6 stages in the Tour, but I have no doubt he can still win races. I am really looking forward to working with him again”

Deceuninck-Quick Step has again embraced Mark Cavendish. Sports director Tom Steels is looking forward to working with the Brit again. “The return of Mark Cavendish is a challenge,” said Tom Steels. “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 figure 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. ”

So what exactly does Steels expect from Cavendish? “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.”

“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. Cavendish remains Cavendish: that competitive character is still there and he will also find it with us. He can go along with the ambitions of the team. The fact that there is a fight in every race will please him. He will always participate there. Make it out. ”

“We don’t expect Mark to win 6 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. sprinting can help guys like Bennett or Hodeg. When Jakobsen comes back, he’ll enjoy it too. ”

The Wolfpack will therefore welcome Cavendish with open arms. “Everyone is looking forward to it,” says Steels. “Mark is someone who has always been good to his colleagues. He can be explosive after the race, but very sweet an hour later. Because of his personality he will always contribute something.”