CyclingQuotes.com uses cookies for statistics and targeting ads. This information is shared with third parties.
ACCEPT COOKIES » MORE INFO »

Every day we bring you more pro-cycling news

"I was obviously asked if I want to target this and I honestly don't want to target this. So the pressure just on myself has been a lot less," Cavendish says

Photo: Sirotti

MARK CAVENDISH

RIDER PROFILE
|
NEWS

MILANO - SANREMO

RACE PROFILE
|
NEWS

SOUDAL - QUICK STEP

TEAM PROFILE
|
NEWS
17.03.2013 @ 12:08 Posted by Jesper Johannesen

Ever since his victory in the 2009 Milan-Sanremo, Mark Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quick Step) has tried desperately to repeat that stunning performance. In three attempts he has been left disappointed, and as a consequence the first monument of the year is no longer a big goal for the former world champion.

 

Last year Mark Cavendish entered Milan-Sanremo with the firm objective of realizing a life-long dream: he wanted to cross the finish line on Lungomare Italo Calvino in Sanremo with the rainbow bands on his chest and his arms in the air. He meticulously prepared his attempt and entered the race in his best ever climbing condition.

 

The new climb of Le Manie was once again his undoing, and a deeply frustrated Manxman was seen struggling at the wheel of trusted teammate Bernhard Eisel way behind the main group. After failed attempts in 2010 and 2011, Cavendish reached the conclusion that the introduction of this particular climb made it impossible to win the race in the future.

 

As a consequence, this year's edition of La Primavera is not one of his major season targets. He made his thoughts public already at the Tour of Qatar in February, and his statements have certainly relieved the pressure on his shoulders. The Manxman has flown under the radar in the lead-up to the race where most attention has focused on Peter Sagan (Cannondale).

 

"There's not pressure from the team, it's always pressure I put on myself," Cavendish told at a pre-race press conference. "I mean, as my first goal of the year I once demanded the team be built around me, and things haven't paid off in the past. This year it's been completely different. I was obviously asked if I want to target this and I honestly don't want to target this. So the pressure just on myself has been a lot less."

 

He will still line up in today's race and will obviously go for a result if an opportunity arises, but he only sees his blistering sprint as one weapon in his team's arsenal.

 

"I think that's just one card we can play," he said. "I think it gives me an edge if it comes for the sprint, being the fastest man, but we have so many cards we can play. Chavanel was incredible at Paris-Nice. I think we've got a really strong team, but I think it will take a lot to outwit Cannondale this year. This many options has made me the most relaxed I've been between Tirreno-Adriatico and Milan-Sanremo."

 

Much has been said about the weather forecasts. With rain, cold and maybe even snow expected, many predict an unusually hard edition of the race. On paper, this would be unfavorable to the Manxman, but Cavendish is adamant that he is used to such conditions.

 

"It's the same for the riders from Belgium as it is for those from the Isle of Man," he said. "It rains a lot, it's cold a lot. Nobody enjoys racing in the rain, but I think it's just normal. I think for those who ride in the warmer climates they're used to riding in the sun, and it's not nice to be riding in the rain. For me, it's normal to ride in the rain, nice to ride in the sun. It's not just me doing 300km either, it's 200 riders doing it."

 

Even if Cavendish is confident in his team's many options, he thinks it will be difficult to win the race. One certain Slovakian has proved to be in blistering condition, and according to the 2009 race winner he will be almost impossible to beat.

 

"I think it's going to be very difficult to beat Sagan. He's clearly a favorite. He won a sprint in Tirreno, he won in a small group with climbing specialists. He's in incredibly good form and Cannondale was riding so, so strong as a team. Sagan got close last year and I really believe, barring accidents, it's going to take a miracle to beat him this year really. But we will do our best."

 

You can follow Cavendish' exploits live on CyclingQuotes.com/live on Sunday starting at 14.30. Until then you can prepare for the race by studying our preview.

 

 

 

MORE NEWS:

VIEW SELECTED

Bycykling 101: Navigering i byens gader og cykelvenlige... 27.11.2023 @ 12:11The Best Danish Cyclist To Bet On At 2022 Tour De France 13.01.2022 @ 15:262022 Upcoming Tournament Overview 03.01.2022 @ 09:45Best Place to Find Stand-Up Paddleboards 16.06.2021 @ 08:16What are Primoz Roglic’s Chances to Win 2021 Tour de Fr... 17.03.2021 @ 08:37Amazing victory by young champion Sarah Gigante 04.02.2021 @ 14:21Three reasons why cycling is one of the best ways to ex... 28.09.2020 @ 12:03Why do businesses use meeting room managers? 14.09.2020 @ 13:42Five things that you can do, if you want to gain more f... 20.08.2020 @ 15:38One for the road 09.06.2020 @ 15:25List of CyclingQuotes previews 07.05.2020 @ 13:20Blue Energy: room for all interests 26.08.2019 @ 12:56Get your daily dose of exercise at home 08.07.2019 @ 10:443 good advice to be able to afford your favorite bike 25.02.2019 @ 12:32Cycle through gorgeous landscapes 22.10.2018 @ 21:41Balance Your Economy and Diet and Start Saving Money 08.10.2018 @ 11:18Stay Safe: 3 Helmets That Can Keep Your Head Protected... 20.07.2018 @ 07:59Planning to bet on Tour De France - Bet types and strat... 24.05.2018 @ 14:18Basics of cycling betting 25.10.2017 @ 13:10Bauer moves to ORICA-SCOTT 28.08.2017 @ 10:45End of the road for CyclingQuotes 08.01.2017 @ 16:00Rui Costa confirms Giro participation 07.01.2017 @ 12:55Van Avermaet: I am not afraid of Sagan 07.01.2017 @ 09:45Unchanged course for E3 Harelbeke 07.01.2017 @ 09:32Jenner takes surprise win at Australian U23 Championships 07.01.2017 @ 08:53No replacement for Meersman at Fortuneo-Vital Concept 06.01.2017 @ 19:14Barguil with two goals in 2017 06.01.2017 @ 19:06More details about French Vuelta start emerges 06.01.2017 @ 14:16Kristoff to start season at Etoile de Besseges 06.01.2017 @ 14:10Ion Izagirre announces schedule for first year at Bahrain 06.01.2017 @ 12:40JLT Condor optimistic for Herald Sun Tour 06.01.2017 @ 09:19Haas leads Dimension Data trio in fight for Australian... 06.01.2017 @ 09:15Sagan spearheads Bora-hansgrohe at Tour Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:12Henao and Thomas lead Sky Down Under 06.01.2017 @ 09:09Bauer crowned New Zealand TT champion 06.01.2017 @ 08:33Van der Poel ready to defend Dutch title 05.01.2017 @ 21:00Pantano ambitious for first Tour with Trek 05.01.2017 @ 20:41Landa with new approach to the Giro 05.01.2017 @ 20:36Sunweb Development Team sign Goos and Zepuntke 05.01.2017 @ 20:27Dumoulin confirms Giro participation 05.01.2017 @ 20:19Bauer targets victories in Quick-Step debut 05.01.2017 @ 20:16Gaviria and Boonen lead Quick-Step in San Juan 05.01.2017 @ 20:13Team Sunweb presented in Germany 05.01.2017 @ 20:09ASO take over major German WorldTour race 05.01.2017 @ 11:01Team Sunweb unveil new jersey 05.01.2017 @ 10:54Reactions from the Australian TT Championships 05.01.2017 @ 08:27Dennis defends Australian TT title 05.01.2017 @ 08:21Scotson takes back to back U23 TT titles in Australia 05.01.2017 @ 08:15Utrecht on track to host 2020 Vuelta 04.01.2017 @ 18:28Pre-season setback for Talansky 04.01.2017 @ 17:56Kristoff: It's not impossible for me to win in Rou... 04.01.2017 @ 17:49Boom close to first cyclo-cross win in LottoNL debut 04.01.2017 @ 17:40UAE Abu Dhabi make late signing of Arab rider 04.01.2017 @ 17:36UAE Abu Dhabi unveil new jersey 04.01.2017 @ 17:30BMC unveil race schedule 04.01.2017 @ 17:21

Currently no news in this list

Stéphane URIE
36 years | today
Malcolm LANGE
51 years | today
Brian LIGNEEL
33 years | today
Fabian HOLZMEIER
37 years | today
Jose Antonio GIMENEZ DIAS
47 years | today

© CyclingQuotes.com