Mark Cavendish was set to sign for B&B Hotels-KTM this season in a move that would likely assure him of a return to the Tour de France but the plans went down the drain these past few weeks as the team dissolved - at least in it's current shape. The Manxman however continues his hunt for a team, now being linked to
Human Powered Health.
The American team sees in Cavendish a possibility of finding a Grand Tour wildcard, and could give a headache to other teams looking out for the opportunity such as Israel - Premier Tech and Uno-X Pro Cycling Team who have two largely uncontested spots reserved for the Tour now that there will not be a B&B Hotels team taking one of them. It is an ambitious plan, but there are reports of negotiations.
Whilst it is not impossible a return to World Tour level, the chances rely on teams such as Astana Qazaqstan Team and AG2R Citröen mainly, who have little experience or focus in the flat races.
Human Powered Health signed the likes of Stanislaw Aniolkowski and Sasha Weemaes this winter, whilst Matthew Gibson was brought in halfway through last season and Scott McGill won two stages and the points classification at the tough Volta a Portugal late in the year. There is a specific focus in the sprints, and it could be enough to convince the veteran into the team.