Cavendish returns to racing, Manxman and Fabio Jakobsen race together in Belgian semi-classics trio

This weekend will see three Belgian semi-classics take place, which will see the return of Mark Cavendish to the peloton. The Briton has not raced for the team since the Tour de Pologne, with discontent and a possible Covid-19 infection likely as the reasons.

His last outing was at the Tour de Pologne, where he didn't manage to take any meaningful result after missing out on the Tour de France. There were suspicions that his season may have already ended seeing as he and Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team are separating at the end of this year on less than good terms, but he will have two opportunities to chase results at the Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and Gooikse Pijl. He'll be joined however by Fabio Jakobsen who's endured a successful season, and should on paper be the team's main option. It is noteworthy that the traditional leadout men will not be present at the races, indicating at free roles inbetween the team.

“Normally, Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen and Gooikse Pijl are for the fast men, but with rain predicted on both days, the outcome of these races could be influenced by the weather. We have Fabio for these two events that come with a parcours suiting him, but also Mark, so we start with a lot of motivation and confidence," team DS duo Geert van Bondt and Wilfried Peeters said in antecipation to the race. The team will feature six more riders throughout the three days with Dries Devenyns, Ilan van Wilder, Louis Vervaeke, Iljo Keisse, Bert van Lerberghe and Stan van Tricht completing the lineup.

Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team for Kampioenschap van Vlaandere, Primus Classic and Gooikse Pijl: Fabio Jakobsen, Mark Cavendish, Dries Devenyns, Ilan van Wilder, Louis Vervaeke, Iljo Keisse, Bert van Lerberghe and Stan van Tricht.