In the battle of Cavendish and Kittel at the inaugural Dubai Tour, Mark Renshaw hopes he can help swing the advantage Cavendish’s way.

"We're taking an important team there with Tony Martin and Cav so with those two guys we're looking for the overall and for stage wins," Renshaw told Cycling Weekly before the start of stage three of the Tour Down Under. "To be honest, it's pretty important that everyone goes well.”

"Here is more preparation for Dubai," the 31 year old continued. "The Tour Down Under is a WorldTour race, and a good opportunity for points. But personally it's building for Dubai. It's a more important race, than here, for me."

Renshaw, who is currently at his home race, is a key addition to Cavendish’s sprint train and it is hoped that he and Alessandro Petacchi can lead Cavendish to the maillot jaune in July. Renshaw got to meet his new teammates at a winter training camp in Calpe, Spain and the group worked on their sprints:

"I think we did three or four sprints the whole camp so it was more a period where guys were building up to racing," the 31 year old Renshaw said. "I think now we're just going to have to practice in racing. I don't see too many opportunities to train together. Dubai will be our first opportunity."