Cavendish back in action at Tour de Yorkshire

Tour de Yorkshire organisers Welcome to Yorkshire have announced that Mark Cavendish has confirmed he will return to racing after injury at the 2018 edition of the race.

Cavendish suffered a dramatic crash at the Milan – San Remo race in Italy on Saturday 17 March, fracturing a rib and damaging his ankle after colliding with a traffic bollard, and reports had suggested that he would be back in action at the Tour of California (13-19 May).

His recovery has gone better than expected however, and Team Dimension Data have announced he will now be fit to compete in Yorkshire between 3-6 May.

The 32-year-old Manxman is one of the sport’s highest-profile figures having won no-less than 30 Tour de France stages in a glittering career that also includes the 2011 UCI World Road Race Championships title and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Welcome to Yorkshire Chief Executive Sir Gary Verity was pleased to hear the news and is looking forward to seeing Cavendish in action.

He said: “Mark is a living legend in the world of cycling and we’re over the moon that he will be competing at the Tour de Yorkshire next month.

“His crash in Italy looked really serious but he’s such a tough, tenacious character and we’re thrilled he’s been able to make such a speedy recovery.

“I’m sure Mark will have his eyes on at least two of the stages on this year’s route and we can’t wait to see him launch his trademark sprint. It’s not every day you get to see a sportsman of his stature competing on home roads, and we’re certain he’ll receive a hero’s welcome.”