Scheldeprijs removed from Mark Cavendish's schedule - Return to competition still uncertain

Scheldeprijs every year features in it's startlist many, or even most of the world's best sprinters, but this year it will not feature Mark Cavendish who is still looking to recover his form after a bout of illness.

The Manxman won at the Tour Colombia early in the year, but the situation has only gone downwards from there on. Astana Qazaqstan Team signed up a strong leadout, his former coach from the Soudal - Quick-Step days and even former teammate Mark Renshaw as a leadout. An all-in for the Kazakh team, which is suffering a big casualty at the moment as none are being able to put into their best role as Cavendish is out of competition and will not race Scheldeprijs.

“After being sick for several weeks following the Tirreno-Adriatico and Milano-Torino, Mark Cavendish has resumed his training, continuing his preparation for his biggest goals of the season," Cavendish's coach Vasilis Anastopoulos said in a statement.

"The team has adapted the racing plan, and as a result, Mark will miss the classic race Scheldeprijs and will instead spend some time at a training camp. After that, he plans to compete in the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye and then the Tour de Hongrie". At the time being that is the plan for the Manxman, however it will be necessary to wait and see if he will be up for the task; and if he will be able to gain back some confidence with a victory there ahead of the Tour de France.