2014 could see Mark Cavendish skip the Giro d’Italia for the first time in four editions in order to prepare himself for the Tour de France starting in England. This will all be done in an attempt to finally see the fastest man I the world slip into the Yellow Jersey for the first time in his career.

"I don't know where I'm racing past the Dubai Tour," Cavendish told Cycling Weekly last week.

"Sometimes last year, I was tired but still went to a race. It eventually grinds you down by the end of the sixth month of the year. We really want to keep an eye on it and make sure I'm going super-good for the Tour de France."

Cavendish had a successful Giro in 2013, winning 5 stages and the points jersey, but insists it all about keeping himself fresh: he had raced 60 days already in 2013 before he even began the Tour. It is this fatigue that has led journalists to claim it was tiredness that prevented the Manx Missile from exerting his dominance on the 100th Tour.

His Giro could potentially be put in further doubt by the inclusion of Colombian climber Rigoberto Uran, who will look at trying to win the GC after finishing second overall last year.

Cavendish was the sole leader of the team last year and as a result, had all of his team pull for him and play a large part in his huge success.

Kittel has an interest in the Giro so could be fatigued for the Tour, making the 4 way sprint battle even more exciting. All we know just now is that when Cav’s adoring home fans are taken into consideration, the battle for Yellow will be interesting.