Previously, the British rider, who won the event in 2009, had said he would not start the race after organisers diminished the sprinters’ chances of success by including the five-kilometre long Pompeiana climb in the finale of the Italian one day Classic. Omega Pharma-QuickStep manager Patrick Lefevere has confirmed to Cyclingnews.com that Mark Cavendish will ride Milan-San Remo later this month.

“He’ll ride as our sprinter but we’ll decide the tactics the day before the race, and not two weeks away,” Lefevere told Cyclingnews.

With the Pompeiana climb being eradicated from the race parcours and with Belgian Tom Boonen in flying form after winning Kuurne-Brussel-Kuurne th weekend, Cavendish's presence in the team could mean Lefevere could have at least two cards to play. Cavendish recently isopened his account with a stage win at the Tour of Algarve and is set to prepare for Milan-San Remo by riding Tirreno-Adriatico.

“Tom is in excellent shape and we’re really happy with Mark winning too. We hope he’ll do well at Tirreno and we’ll take Mark to the race and he certainly won’t be there as a domestique for the others.”

Asked if he thought Cavendish could win Milan-San Remo, Lefevere said: “I think so. I thought he was able to win in Dubai but unfortunately he had some bad luck. He won in Algarve and I’m sure he’ll be coming out of Tirreno with good shape he can win San Remo as well.”