HTC-Columbia leader Mark Cavendish has been forced to delay his season start in 2010 due to an ongoing dental problem. Initially the sprint king intended to take part in the inaugural Tour of Oman from February 14 to 19, as well as Tour of Qatar which takes place from February 7 to 12, Now he has been forced to start ten days later and will begin his season in the Ruta del Sol on February 17.
“We want to take all precautions and ensure that Mark has fully recovered and is able to get in some extra base training for the long season ahead of him,” explained Team Manager Rolf Aldag.
Cavendish spent his Christmas in Paraguay and had complained about a severe tooth ache upon his return from South America. He was asked to stay off the bike after having to undergo an emergency tooth procedure.
Aldag isn’t worried about the changes impacting his season too much adding, “His season goals remain the same and he is looking forward to performing as planned in major Spring races like Milan-San Remo and Flanders before his focus shifts toward the stage racing.”
The HTC-Columbia team has been having other issues as of late, with Cavendish’s main leadout man Mark Renshaw forced to sit out the early season after being diagnosed with the Epstein-Barr virus. Originally thought to be back in action this month, Renshaw now isn’t expected to return until March.
Meanwhile the team’s “other” sprinter André Greipel has been relentless at the Santos Tour Down Under, winning 3 stages to date and currently holds the overall lead. Team Sky’s Greg Henderson won the warm-up criterium due to a botched HTC-Columbia leadout, but as soon as the wins began to count toward the overall, the German has been in control and his team on point.