"I am joining team Sky and I am really excited about that," Mark Cavendish said matter-of-factly in an interview to Sky Sports today. With the speculation over his future over, Cavendish described his feelings of joining a British team, after spending most of his career with the HTC Highroad team. He also set his sights on July, with five crucial days possibly topping even his green jersey/World Championships double this season.
Cavendish was full of praise for his new employer. "I know its a great setup and it is possibly the biggest team in cycling right now." He was happy to join a strong team with other riders shining as well. "Geraint Thomas wore the white jersey [best young rider -ed.] at the Tour, Bradley [Wiggins] podiumed at the Vuelta - he is one of the biggest riders in the world," Cavendish says.
Even before joining the team, Cavendish already knows what he is getting into with his new teammates. "Both of those guys were an integral part to win the World Championships and I couldn't have done it without them, along with the others." Cavendish says that it is a sign that the riders know everyone on the team very well. "We are dedicated to each other trying to win."
Moving back to his home country is a big thing for the Manxman. "It is a renaissance for British cycling right now. We work together to raise the profile of cycling in the country and to make sure we are the dominant nation in cycling."
He sees no potential for clashes with differing goals, for example in the Tour de France. "My job is to win bike races. With that team I will be, for sure." He says it is a give and take between the big stars on the team. He is sure that Wiggins will pull for him, like he did during the Worlds road race. Cavendish is prepared to return the favor. "I will help him get in a good position before the mountains," he explains.
The fast sprinter is looking forward to a cohesive effort with Team Sky. "You have guys pulling for each other and nine guys [pulling together] will be stronger than nine individuals." For him there is no question that the team can realize a broad strategy. "I am confident that we can win stages, the yellow jersey, the green jersey; to win whatever we want to win, actually."
July 2012 will be one heck of a month
The goals for Cavendish are clearcut. "Obviously, the Tour de France is the biggest goal for any professional team. Besides stages I hopefully can go for the green jersey," he says. "But the week after there are the Olympics in London. My two biggest targets are in July, so it may be a slow start to the season - but I can guarantee that I am on top form in July."
One problem to achieve both the green jersey and the Olympic crown could be the schedule. "The Olympic road race is five days after the Tour finishes. It is not ideal, but I think most of the favorites for the Olympics will be riding the Tour de France anyway."
The Tour route will be officially announced on October 18 in the Palais des Congrès in Paris. Thanks to a mistake, most of the route is already known. "The route was leaked a little bit and it is not the most difficult route in recent years," Cavendish says with a smile. "I want to come and win in London and get the first medal for Great Britain."
He hopes to be as successful as this year, where he had two major goals, the green jersey and the World Championships. "They are not easy targets, but in both circumstances I had really good teammates," he says.
Achieving the goals that he set for himself is even more gratifying than just winning the races. "I set the same goals in 2010 but didn't achieve any of them," he sighs. "Yes, I won five stages in the 2010 Tour de France, but I didn't win the green jersey and I was tired at the Worlds. But I learned from my mistakes."
It is hard for him to compare the green jersey and the Worlds win, for both are highlights in any sprinter's career. "To see the Arc de Triomphe and wear the green jersey is pretty special," he explains. "Every great rider dreams to win the Worlds. To put on the national colors and race with the guys I grew up with was amazing."