Mark Cavendish ready for desert challenge

Mark Cavendish ready for UAE Tour

There was also Mark Cavendish among the cyclists attending the presentation of the UAE Tour, a stage race that has become a classic event of the beginning of the cycling season, which will see its start on Monday, Feb. 19, and its epilogue on the following Sunday, the 25th. The 'Manx Missile' winner already of a stage at the Tour of Colombia this year, promises sparks in the sprint finishes.

"Every cyclist likes to feel the confidence that comes from each victory, both at the beginning of the year and in the continuation of the season,” said the Astana Qazaqstan sprinter to the microphones of the Tour of the UAE organizers.

Having already won a race at this point in the season è positive for the team".

On his participation in the Middle Eastern stage race, Cavendish added: "It's great to be here in Abu Dhabi once again for the UAE Tour. I can’t wait to start racing. I am always motivated. I love the sport. I love racing with my bike. It’s a difficult sport, I’ll do it’at least for another year, I’m happy to do it".

A number of prominent riders will participate in the UAE Tor: for the final classification, Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates) and Pello Bilbao (Bahrain Victorious) are among the main favorites, while for the sprint finishes, Fabio Jakobsen (Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL) and Dylan Groenewegen (Team Jayco AlUla), as well as Cavendish himself, are to be watched.