MILAN (AP) — Mark Cavendish is looking to make an early statement in this Olympic year with a victory in the Milan-San Remo classic Saturday.
The British sprinter won the season’s opening classic in 2009 and is again the man to beat in the 185-mile race concluding on the Italian Riviera.
Cavendish can become the first rider to win in San Remo while wearing the rainbow-colored world champion’s jersey since Italy’s Giuseppe Saronni in 1983.
Other contenders include Tom Boonen of Belgium, defending champion Matthew Goss of Australia, emerging Slovakian standout Peter Sagan and Swiss time trial specialist Fabian Cancellara.
The top local favorite is Vincenzo Nibali, who will likely need to attack before the finish to win.
