A new lean Mark Cavendish stepped into the dazzling Majorcan sunshine this weekend, negotiated his way through the mob of photographers that chronicle his every move and carefully adjusted his customised Oakley sunglasses before scanning the road ahead. Figuratively and metaphorically. He is ready for 2009. Bring it on.

via Mark Cavendish gears up for Tour de France – Telegraph.

Quite enjoyed this piece about the superstar young gun sprinter. He has the same “problem” that Australian pros have … the general public has less than no clue about bike racing.

Loved this quote:

“I’ve been back at home on the Isle of Man for most of the winter and, in fairness they get behind me there, but a lady came up to me in Tesco the other day and said ‘bad luck in the Tour de France.’” “Bad luck! I won four bloody stages in eight days. On the Tour de France against every single last one of the world’s greatest cyclists who were all riding flat out. Bad luck. I had to smile.”