Rod Ellingworth comments on Mark Cavendish future plans
Mark Cavendish is still under contract with Team Sky until 2013 but the cyclist noted last week that he will start negotiating with the British team about ending his contract.
His coach Rod Ellingworth briefed to Cyclingnews that the rider’s Tour de France objectives are vital behind his decision of leaving Team Sky.
Team Sky was fully focussed on Bradley Wiggins and Christopher Froome at the Tour de France and Mark was not given enough support to defend his green jersey.
Cavendish could only secure 220 UCI points and achieved the fourth overall position after the final point’s classifications at the French race.
Peter Sagan of Team Liquigas-Cannondale wins the category with 421 UCI points in his bag while Andre Greipel (280 points) of Team Lotto Belisol and Matthew Harley Goss (268 points) of Team Orica GreenEdge secured the second and the third spots respectively.
While commenting on the issue, Ellingworth cited, “It’s up to him then on where it’s best to be. That’s my interest for him. If it means him going then he has to go”.
“From talking from a British cycling point of view as a British cycling coach, Mark’s a winner and he needs to go to a team where he can win bike races and it’s as clear as that really”.
“He had a bit of bad luck but all year he’s had a few ups and downs and a bit of bad luck but I don’t know. I think he’s had really good support throughout the year,” he concluded.
The Manxman marked his professional debut with Team Sparkasse in 2005 season and spent a period of two years with the side.
He accepted an offer from Team T-Mobile in 2006 and served the American outfit for seven consecutive years.
The team announced its demise from the sport at the end of 2011 season and Mark signed a two-year deal with Team Sky in 2012.
The 2012 season has undoubtedly been the best year of his career as he secured over a dozen stages along with a first overall victory of his career at the Ster ZLM Toer 2012.
It will be interesting to see if the British team manages to retain their star performer for the season ahead as his exit will certainly create a chaos in a much settled Team Sky.
Tags: