Like in 2014, Mark Cavendish wants to win as many races as possible, but the Tour de France and Milan-Sanremo are the two objectives he has placed above all others for the upcoming season.

“I’d like to win as much as possible and I’d like to win Milan-San Remo,” Cavendish said. “It’s obviously difficult to do – it’s a Monument and there are a lot of other guys who would like to win it – but we’ll make that the big goal for the beginning of the year, and then there’s the Tour de France.”

One of the men brought in to secure success for Cavendish and his powerful sprint train is Fabio Sabatini, who was signed from the now defunct Cannondale team to replace Alessandro Petacchi.

“He’s never won a professional race but he’s been part of so many winning teams. He’s got no personal ambition other than to do the best he possibly can for the team, which is a great attribute to have. He’s a loyal guy on and off the bike. He’s a good friend and for years I’ve wanted him in the team.”

Cavendish played down any notion that he needed to achieve revenge for what happened ay the 2014 Tour de France and he says he doesn’t focus on any other riders, just on himself and ensuring he is the first man across the line.

“One stage of the Tour for a rider makes his career so one stage per year is quite hard to do. So it’s a big thing to win one stage of the Tour de France. You’ve got to give the Tour de France the respect it deserves.”

“I just concentrate on trying to win bike races, like I always have,” he said. “I won’t concentrate on other riders, I’ll concentrate on the finish line and crossing that first.”