Team Dimension Data has named its team for the 2018 edition of Milan-Sanremo with both Mark Cavendish and Mark Renshaw included.
Cavendish fractured a rib in a big crash on day one of Tirreno-Adriatico but managed to complete the stage. He was cleared by Dimension Data’s medical team to continue racing but he was ruled to have finished outside of the time limit.
While Renshaw, who abandoned on stage five of Tirreno-Adriatico after feeling unwell, has since traveled to see a specialist in an effort to find a solution to a chronic sinusitis problem.
Cavendish has been training in Italy and rejoined his teammates on Wednesday.
“After crashing in Tirreno I’m obviously not in any sort of condition to win Milan-Sanremo but having been able to train enough through the pain over the last few days I feel like I can go in support of my teammates.
“Milan-Sanremo is a race close to my heart and it’s a particular style of race that reminding my body of the rhythm of it this year, will help me to compete for the win in future years,” he said.
Also included in Dimension Data line-up are Edvald Boasson Hagen, Scott Thwaites, Julien Vermote, Jay Thomson and Stephen Cummings.
“As a team we’re really excited ahead of one of the sport’s iconic races. It’s great to have Mark (Cavendish) return to an event that’s obviously very special to him. He’s had a run of bad luck, crashing in both Abu Dhabi and Tirreno-Adriatico, but despite fracturing a rib, and weather permitting, has managed to train”, said sports director Roger Hammond.
“It’s not been an easy selection process having both Bernie Eisel and Tom-Jelte Slagter unavailable but for now it looks like the weather could play a big part on the day and we look forward to taking opportunities that present themselves for a good result.”
