by Our Sports Desk

Mark Cavendish plans to ride the Tour of Britain in September after missing out on Omega Pharma-Quick Step’s squad for the Vuelta a Espana.

Cavendish, 29, returned to racing last week after suffering shoulder ligament damage in a crash on the opening stage of the Tour de France in Harrogate.

He finished ninth in the Tour de l’Ain prologue — which Belgium’s Gianni Meersman won.

While his team will go to the Vuelta to support Rigoberto Uran in the general classification this weekend, Cavendish will ride in the Tour du Poitou Charentes on August 26-29 before the Tour of Britain, which takes place September 7-14.

“After the injury both myself and the team set a goal to get slowly back into a race environment at the Tour de l’Ain which I’ve now done.” Cavendish said.

“It was not an easy race for me because naturally my shoulder was still bothering me a little as it continues to get stronger each day. 

“Now the next step is another shorter stage race at Poitou Charents.

“We will continue to monitor my condition week by week. 

“As things stand it’s impossible to know how I’ll be feeling each week considering the severity of the injury and the accelerated recovery time.

“One thing is for sure, I would like to be at the start for the Tour of Britain for another chance to race in front of British fans again this year which holds lots of fond memories. 

“My goal there will be to do the best I possibly can depending on the condition I’m in.”