Omega Pharma-Quick Step have built their team of nine riders for the Tour De France around Mark Cavendish.
The Sky Blues of Belgium have announced their team for the 100th Tour de France, which features 21 stages covering 3,479km from June 29th until July 21st. There are seven flat stages, five medium mountain stages, six mountain stages including four with summit finishes, two individual time trials, and one team time trial.
Speaking to his team's website, Sports and Development Manager Rolf Aldag said: "We have a strong team at the Tour de France. "Together with the sport directors we talked this morning with all the guys and they are really committed to the team goals. The team will be built mainly around Mark Cavendish.
"Cav is there to try and win stages, and of course one of the big goals of Mark is to go for the yellow jersey on the first day. This is something he missed for the moment — he has worn yellow before, but never after the first stage of the Tour. Mark will be able to count on the same leadout of the Giro d'Italia. They are already tested in race situations and will be ready again. Steegmans will be the last man, and Matteo Trentin will be the second to last man. But, all the team will be committed with Mark when the stage will fit his characteristics. Tony Martin will be there to ride to the ‘Flamme Rouge’ on the flat stages. He will bring Matteo, Gert and Cav into the best position possible in the final kilometre."
The team also includes World Time Trial champion Tony Martin, . Michal Kwiatkowski, Gert Steegmans, Matteo Trentin, Sylvain Chavanel, Jerome Pineau, Peter Velits and Niki Terpstra. something surprising with great actions."
Kevin De Weert and Martin Velits are the reserves.