Mark Cavendish wants to win a stage in the Giro, but looks sullenly ahead: “People seem to forget that I suffered a serious injury in Ghent”

Mark Cavendish was once again Mark Cavendish at his team’s online press moment. Petty and stingy in his answers, by no means a good sign for his team Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl. “I’m relaxed and I’m happy with the form I’ve got now,” he said briefly. “I have prepared well and would like to win a stage.” Whether the points jersey is a goal? “I’ve been saying the same thing about that for a decade,” he replied. “It’s never a goal in advance, I’m not working on it. The points jersey comes when you are consistent in the sprint and in your results. I hope to win a stage.”

With Michael Morkov added late to the roster, he already has a strong lead-out ahead of him. “Of course I’m happy with that,” he replied. “I love racing with him, but it’s not just ‘Morky’, with Bert (Van Lerberghe) and Ballerini I get two other strong guys in support. That gives confidence.”

His last participation dates back to 2013. When he won five stages. “It’s nice to be back. It’s been nine years since I was here, I think I won four or five times. It was a nice course. Times have changed in the meantime, I hope to have fun again.”

Cavendish has already won three times this season, despite his serious injury he sustained during the Six Days of Ghent. “Even though I’ve won quickly this season and a few times in the meantime, people do indeed seem to forget that I suffered a serious injury then and that it wasn’t easy to come back. I always work hard, but it was difficult. Nothing comes easy and I am happy that I am ready in time for this Giro.”