Philippe Gilbert on Mark Cavendish: "He’s the kind of rider who needs a lot of kilometers in the legs to become better"

How far can Mark Cavendish go at the Giro d'Italia? Many analysts have been asked about the Manxman and the consensus seems to be that he cannot be discounted. Philippe Gilbert has added the perspective however that the Manxman could evolve during the race.

“He's a rider who needs to race. I think if he doesn't get sick or crash in the first few days, he will become better and better. He’s the kind of rider who needs a lot of kilometers in the legs to become better,” Gilbert told Eurosport. “I think the first day is going to be important for him. Because if he's at a good level, he is going to be fighting for maybe a win - it's possible with Mark, you never know. Cavendish always surprised me in the stage races because he always becomes always stronger and stronger with the days as they go on.

Cavendish has not shown good form this year however he does have plenty experience and almost two dozen Grand Tour starts in his career. The 37-year old will have to contend without a leadout however as the race goes on, the Belgian argues that Cavendish will get in the rhythm and may be more active in the flat sprints. In the second week of the race there will still be some opportunities and, as some teams are expected to lose some of their riders, could prove to be his best opportunity.

“Mark is someone who needs competition is completely, kilometers in the legs, and the best way for him is to race, because I don't think he's really in love with training. I think when you put him in a competition, you have to race, you have to do the kilometers and he becomes always stronger and stronger with the days," Gilbert concluded. "I think the best for him is just to do this Giro, try to do to go as far as possible and become skinnier and stronger and get the confidence with his new team with new team-mates.”