An overall victory at the Tour de France 2012, worth Mark Cavendish’s two seasons? Part 1
The 2012 season is on the verge of finish, as we approach towards the last World Tour race of the season, the Tour of Beijing 2012.
However, one question that cycling experts have failed to answer is that of the Mark Cavendish’s future team.
He has been rumoured to hook-up with Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step to continue his professional pursuits for 2013 but nothing has been confirmed as of now.
The latest update on the Manxman’s transfer came through his former team boss, Bob Stapleton who personally believes that it is good for Cavendish to end his associations with his current side Team Sky and should switch to Team Omega Pharma-Quick Step.
"It’s in his best interests to join Quick Step and work with people he knows and respects," Stapleton told Cyclingnews.
"I think Aldag makes a big difference. I think Cav has tremendous respect for Aldag”.
“It’s just a question about something giving on the buyout but I think they can resolve that”.
“I think it will be a bit of a re-birth for Cavendish and a lot of people would want to see that, including me".
“Now they have a series of GC riders queued up who look very competitive for the future”.
“When you compare yellow to green, what’s the value of them against each other?"
Mark started riding professionally with Team Sparkasse in 2005 and stayed with the side by the end of 2006 season.
He worked with Stapleton during his stay with Team T-Mobile / Team HTC-Highroad through 2006-11 seasons.
Team HTC-Highroad ended its association from professional cycling by the end of 2011 because of financial constraints and Cavendish moved to Team Sky to begin his 2012 campaign.
The 27-year-old signed a three-year deal with the British side and is still bound to spend at least two more years with the team, through 2014.
However, lack of support by the team during the Tour de France 2012 has forced him to take the decision.
Team Sky’s main focus at the French race was the overall classifications and maximum support was given to Bradley Wiggins and Christopher Froome.
Team’s General Manager David Brailsford succeeded in his goals as Wiggins became the first ever British rider to bag an overall victory at the Tour de France with his team-mate Christopher Froome finishing second after the final general classifications.
Bradley took a total number of 87 hours, 34 minutes and 47 seconds to receive the honours with his team-mate and compatriot, Christopher Froome finishing 3 minute and 21 seconds behind at the second spot.
Vincenzo Nibali was the only cyclist that troubled the British duo for couple of stages but even he could not achieve any better than the third overall spot, finishing 6 minute and 19 seconds behind the race leader.
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