Mark Cavendish will be supported by most of his lead-out train when he lines up at the Tour de Suisse tomorrow and the Brit will use the race to fine-tune the teamwork ahead of the Tour de France. Tony Martin will target the two individual time trials while Stijn Vandenbergh will miss the race due to injury.

Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team has announced the selection that will participate in Tour de Suisse, a nine-stage, 1331.2km stage race from June 14th through the 22nd. The race consists of a prologue, an individual time trial, and five mountain stages with three including summit finishes. Stages 4 and 5 leave the possibility for a bunch sprint finale.

"We are here with a strong team for the sprint," Sport Director Wilfried Peeters said. "We will go for the sprints in the two occasions that favor the group arrival. Mark is here with almost his complete leadout train. So it will be an important moment in the approach of the Tour de France.

"The other goal of the team will be the two time trials — the short prologue and the 25km individual time trial. For Tony it will be a good goal personally, but also Niki Terpstra can do well in this kind of effort. We don't have a guy for the GC, but we have a strong team for specific situations of the race."

Unfortunately Stijn Vandenbergh won't participate due to a fibrotic cyst in the area of the perineum. Vandenbergh will try to be at the start of Ster ZLM Toer to prepare as best as possible for the National Championship. But of course, this problem won't permit the super domestique to be present at the Tour de France.

"I was among the riders who had a chance to fight for a spot at the Tour de France," Vandenbergh said. "But unfortunately this problem won't permit me to be there. The Tour is an exigent race and you have to be 100 percent. 

"It's the second time I suffered bad luck that kept me from battling for a spot. Last year my knee was the problem, and now this. But OK, my season is not over and I will do my best to get ready for Nationals to support my team. Then, together with the team, we will decide the rest of my schedule."