Cav set for Sky talks

Mark Cavendish: has had a successful season, winning 12 times

Mark Cavendish will meet with Team Sky's principal Dave Brailsford for discussions over his future in the next few days.

The 27-year-old 23-time Tour de France stage winner and 2011 world champion has a contract with the team with two further years to run, but it appears his personal ambitions and Team Sky's do not match.

He plans to meet Brailsford for discussions over his future during the Tour of Britain, which begins on Sunday.

Cavendish has enjoyed a successful season, winning 12 times, including three stages at the Tour won by his Sky teammate Bradley Wiggins, but it was that victory which appears to have demonstrated to the Manxman that his relationship with the British squad could not work.

Team Sky have made no secret of their desire to target General Classification success rather than focus on sprint stages - Cavendish's speciality.

Speaking in Ipswich ahead of the Tour of Britain, Cavendish said: "We had this idea that we could have this British super team that could win stages and dominate.

"Dave sold me the idea last year but for some reason it hasn't worked out like that. It's difficult to do.

"It's like a long distance relationship with a girl. Everything is great but you live apart and it can't work out.

Happy

"But you want to be friends and you would rather the best thing happens so that everything can remain good and that you can stay close.

"You want to be friends and you would rather the best thing happens so that everything can remain good and that you can stay close. I've been very happy at Sky. I don't want to compromise Sky and hopefully Sky won't compromise me."
Mark Cavendish Quotes of the week

"I've been very happy at Sky. I don't want to compromise Sky and hopefully Sky won't compromise me."

Sky's Chris Froome finished second to Wiggins in the Tour and is another who could win the maillot jaune, Giro d'Italia or Vuelta a Espana in future.

Cavendish is clear in his wish to add to his tally of Tour stage successes, with Eddy Merckx's record of 34 clearly in his sights.

"I've got an ambition of winning as many stages as I can in the Tour de France and I'd kind of like to be somewhere I can do that," he said.

"Dave's stated ambitions are not really involved with sprinters or the green jersey or stage wins so it puts me in a position where I'm kind of lost.

"Instead of kicking and screaming I hope we can find an amicable solution about it and go on and everything be the best for both parties."