Mark Cavendish in the green points jersey at the 2016 Tour de France. He wont be on the start line this weekend as he has not been selected by his team.
Mark Cavendish has said he wanted to ride the Tour de France and believed he was in the "perfect place" for it.
The former world champion and sprinting legend added he had timed his peak for the race and was heartbroken to miss the event.
However, while clearly confirming the team had left him out of the line-up, rather Cavendish agreeing it would be best if he did not ride, his wished his team mates well for the three weeks ahead.
Illness and crashes have wrecked the last few seasons for Cavendish and his last Tour win came in 2016, his first season for current team Dimension Data.
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Last year, still suffering the effects of Epstein Barr virus, he missed the time cut on stage 11 and was eliminated.
And in 2017 he crashed out on stage 4; an incident that saw Peter Sagan wrongly disqualified from the race.
“Well what can I say? I’m absolutely heart-broken by the
decision that means I won’t be Le Tour this year,” he said being passed over
for selection.
“As I have done for my entire career, I targeted a
specific time to be at peak form. This has pretty much always resulted in me
hitting my goals or coming damn close.”
He said is 30 wins “at the most beautiful, special race that is Le Tour de France” he defined his career.
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And Cavendish suggested he could compete in the sprints this year had he been picked to ride.
“After a long, difficult fight back from trying to compete for the whole of last season with Epstein Barr virus, and after following a specific training program to peak in July, I feel I was in the perfect place.”
1/4 Well what can I say? I’m absolutely heart-broken by the decision that means I won’t be @letour this year. As I have done for my entire career, I targeted a specific time to be at peak form. This has pretty much always resulted in me hitting my goals or coming damn close.
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 2, 2019
2/4 Predominantly at the most beautiful, special race that is Le Tour de France, where 30 of these victories have defined my career.
After a long, difficult fight back from trying to compete for the whole of last season with Epstein Barr Virus and after following a specific— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 2, 2019
3/4 training program to peak in July, I feel I was in the perfect place.
Nevertheless, I truly came to @teamdidata with the purpose of making a difference, by mobilising entire communities in Africa with bicycles through our incredible charity @Quebuka.
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 2, 2019
4/4 Though I won’t be there, as always I’ll be supporting my teammates with all I have, wishing them safety and success in France and hoping we can get even more children on bicycles.
Thank you all for your support ? x pic.twitter.com/mkTbsk8jRo
— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) July 2, 2019
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