Both Mark Cavendish and his new team, Dimension Data, are keen to break the record for individual stages at the Tour de France. Cavendish has 26, six behind Eddy Merckx. Bernard Hinault sits between the two men on 28 stages.

“It’s a goal for him and us too, to bring up his Tour de France stage win tally and trying to come closer to an all-time record of wins,” Team Principal Doug Ryder told Cycling Weekly. “He wants to achieve that and we are all sitting behind him.”

Ruder says that while many claim Cavendish, 30, has lost some of his top end speed, his training on the track for the Rio Olympics should help him refind his top gear.

“He’s focusing most on the Rio Games and the track, and I think the track training and riding will help his top-end speed again. And I think it’s giving him some renewed passion and energy which is nice to see,” Ryder said.

Ryder says Cavendish can win the opening four stages at the 2016 Tour, which starts in Mont-Saint Michel in France. They hope he can win the Green Jersey, but more importantly, for himself and the team, spend his first day in Yellow.

“The first four stages of the Tour de France next year can suit him. He could potentially be in the green jersey, which would be amazing for Dimension Data with their colour being green. And a potential yellow jersey. That would be a goal, it’s a goal of all teams with a good sprinter.”