Cavendish to Return at French Stage Race on August 12th

Aug 6, 2014 – Mark Cavendish will return to racing with Omega-Pharma – Quick-Step at the Tour de l’Ain, a five-day stage race from August 12th through the 15th. The race includes a 4.6km prologue, four short stages less than 160km apiece, and takes place in the region of France on the border with Switzerland.

peloton/Yuzuru Sunada

Mark Cavendish, who withdrew from the Tour de France after a Stage 1 crash with ligament damage and a separated right shoulder underwent surgery to repair it in July. After missing the Commonwealth games Cavendish begins his comeback at L’Ain, which will determine his schedule for the rest of the season.

“Tour de l’Ain will be important to see where I am at with my training and recovery from my injury, and also as a bit of a test at competition pace,” Cavendish said. “The rest of my program will be decided 100 percent after Tour de l’Ain depending on how I feel during that race. Together with the team we will then discuss how to approach the rest of my season. Tour de l’Ain will be the first time back in the peloton after the Tour. Unfortunately I am not able to participate in Prudential Ride London Classic, which is an amazing race and I would have liked the opportunity to race next year. At the moment, with the two races being so close together on the calendar, I need to focus on completing my specific block of training in Italy before returning to competition at the Tour de l’Ain shortly after. I want to wish good luck to all the riders participating in Prudential Ride London Classic. I think it will be a wonderful event given the amazing support for cycling in the UK. I was so proud of what I saw from the public in the opening stage of the Tour and I wish I could be there to race in front of my British supporters. I will do my best to be there next year.”

In addition to Cavendish, Rigoberto Uran will participate in Tour de l’Ain, which is his first race since the Giro d’Italia and designed to help his form improve for the Vuelta.

“It’s no surprise Rigo is working in function of La Vuelta,” Sport Director Davide Bramati said. “It will represent his first race in Europe since the Giro, and it will be an important step to get into the rhythm of racing again after long training at altitude. After this race Rigo will remain in Europe until racing begins in Spain. At Tour de l’Ain you can find a bit of everything. There will be a prologue, up and down stages for the climbers, and more. So, it’s the perfect race for many riders to open up the second part of the season.”

Omega Pharma Quick Step Riders for Tour de lain:
Julian Alaphilippe (FRA)
Mark Cavendish (GBR)
Gianni Meersman (BEL)
Pieter Serry (BEL)
Rigoberto Uran Uran (COL)
Carlos Verona (ESP)

Sports Director Davide Bramati (ITA)

Stages
12.08.14 Prologue Saint-Amour 4.6 km (ITT)
13.08.14 Stage 1 Domaine de Chalain – Plaine Tonique – Montrevel en Bresse 150.2 km
14.08.14 Stage 2 Ekinox – Saint Vulbas 158.5 km
15.08.14 Stage 3 Lagnieu – Lelex – Monts-Jura 141.8 km
16.08.14 Stage 4 Nantua – Arbent 130.7 k