Mark Cavendish 'heartbroken' by missing Dimension Data's selection for Tour de France
Jul 03 2019 02:40 am CET
Team Dimension Data
Mark Cavendish has shown his disappointment about not getting selected by Dimension Data to be in the Tour de France. The rider has taken 30 stage victories in the French race and expected to increase that number.
The Briton has started in the race eight times in his career and has taken 30 stage victories in it, which makes him one of the most prolific riders ever in the grand tour. During a large part of 2018, Cavendish struggled with the Epstein-Barr virus and has worked hard to come back to his old form.
In the 2019 season, the rider has continued his recovery and training but Dimension Data has left him out of the selection for La Grande Boucle. "Well what can I say? I’m absolutely heartbroken by the decision that means I won’t be in the Tour de France this year," said the former World champion through Twitter.
"As I have done for my entire career, I targeted a specific time to be at peak form. This has pretty much always resulted in me hitting my goals or coming damn close, predominantly at the most beautiful, special race that is the Tour de France, where 30 of these victories have defined my career. After a long, difficult fight back from trying to compete for the whole of last season with Epstein Barr Virus and after following a specific training program to peak in July, I feel I was in the perfect place."
But the rider is willing to support his teammates and Qhubeka, which gives bicycles to children in Africa, from outside of the race. "Nevertheless, I truly came to Dimension Data with the purpose of making a difference, by mobilising entire communities in Africa with bicycles through our incredible charity Qhubeka.
"Though I won’t be there, as always I’ll be supporting my teammates with all I have, wishing them safety and success in France and hoping we can get even more children on bicycles."
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