Mark Cavendish will make his first competitive appearance since being forced to withdraw from the Tour de France injured after being selected for next week’s Tour de l'Ain.
The 29-year-old was forced to undergo surgery after dislocating his shoulder and suffering ligament damage during the closing stages of the first stage of the Tour in Harrogate last month.
The injury ruled him out of representing the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow but he has since stepped up his recovery.
And while this weekend’s Prudential RideLondon Classic comes too soon for the Manxman, Cavendish has been selected as part of his Omega Pharma-Quick-Step Cycling team for the Tour de l’Ain.
The five-day stage race in Eastern France starts on 12 August with possible selection for the Vuelta a Espana in the pipeline if he comes through unscathed.
“The Tour de l'Ain will be important to see where I am at with my training and recovery from my injury, and also as a bit of a test at competition pace," Cavendish said.
"The rest of my program will be decided 100 percent after Tour de l'Ain depending on how I feel during that race.
“Together with the team we will then discuss how to approach the rest of my season. Tour de l'Ain will be the first time back in the peloton after the Tour.
“Unfortunately I am not able to participate in Prudential Ride London Classic, which is an amazing race and I would have liked the opportunity to race.”
© Sportsbeat 2014