Mark Cavendish open to Giro d'Italia ride

Omnisports 00:24 - 09 January 2016

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With the Rio 2016 Olympics on the horizon, Mark Cavendish remains undecided on whether he will race at the Giro d'Italia in May.

The seven sprint stages of this year's Giro d'Italia are a major temptation for Mark Cavendish but his 2016 race calendar remains undecided.

The first Grand Tour of the year begins on May 6 in the Netherlands with two flat stages before the race moves to Italy four days later.

Another five opportunities for the sprinters are planned during the three-week event, offering Cavendish a chance to increase his 15 career Giro stage wins.

However, with increased track commitments as he looks to feature at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Cavendish has yet to commit himself as part of Dimension Data's team for the race and could compete elsewhere.

"I don't know [if I'll race the Giro]," he told Cyclingnews. "I really don't know.

"I'd like to, I'd really like to.

"I went one year when there was three stages for sprinters and I think I won one.

"I'm paid to win races and to be fair, to hard-core cycling fans the Giro is the Giro and I love the Giro.

"I mean I really love the Giro and I have a great relationship with RCS, I love Italy and I have a place there but commercially the Tour of California is good for sponsors."