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The Tour de France should still be virtually 5 months away however preparations have already begun for British sprinter Mark Cavendish who makes his first begin within the Tour Colombia on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old Astana rider has delayed his deliberate retirement by a 12 months to have one other crack on the Tour de France within the hope that he can break the report of 34 stage wins which he at present shares with the legendary Belgian Eddy Merckx.
“I at all times take into consideration the Tour de France,” mentioned Cavendish.
“I’ve at all times thought concerning the Tour de France in my complete profession. However that does not imply you are taking the remainder of the races straightforward.”
The Manx Missile faces a tricky six-day race that can require loads of climbing, particularly in stage 5, not one thing that has figured excessive on Cavendish’s storied CV.
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“It is exhausting to match in relation to adaptation as a result of I’ve by no means actually performed altitude earlier than,” he mentioned.
“We spent every week in Medellin, which was unbelievable, after which we got here up right here to Paipa.
“The one drawback was I could not breathe for 2 weeks. However now I perceive why the riders from Colombia simply play with us after they come right down to sea degree.”
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Cavendish, racing in Colombia for the primary time, is prone to determine within the bustle of a dash end in Tuesday’s opening 155-kilometre stage from Paipa to Duitama and the Briton is keen to make an early mark on the brand new season.
“As a sprinter, you are marked in your wins,” mentioned Cavendish who has 162 victories to his identify.
“Second, third, fourth or fifth would not matter, you are rated by your wins. So it is at all times vital to win.
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“And each on a bodily and psychological level, the motivation you get from victories early within the 12 months can carry you thru to July.”
Cavendish can be in good firm in Colombia alongside former Tour de France winner Egan Bernal and former Vuelta a Espana and Giro d’Italia champion Nairo Quintana who’s returning to competitors after lacking final season by a doping ban.
This 12 months’s Tour de France begins on June 29 in Florence earlier than ending in Good on July 21.
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