Cavendish became the first Brit to win on Paris' Champs-Elysees in 2009

Britain's Mark Cavendish has delayed the start of his 2010 season because of an ongoing dental problem.

The 24-year-old won six Tour de France stages and the Milan-San Remo Classic last year to confirm his status as one of the world's leading sprinters.

But the Isle of Man rider will not begin racing until the Ruta del Sol on 21 February.

"We want to take all precautions and ensure Mark has fully recovered," said his HTC Columbia team boss Rolf Aldag.

Cavendish, who became the first British rider to win the final stage of the Tour de France on the Champs-Elysees in Paris, is hoping to become the first Briton to win the green points jersey at this year's Tour de France.

He won six stages last year, to take his career tally to 10, as he finished 10 points adrift of Norway's Thor Hushovd in the race for the green jersey.

606: DEBATE How will this affect Cavendish's preparations for the season?

He is also targeting at least one stage win on each of the other Grand Tours, in Italy and Spain.

Aldag added: "We want Mark to get in some extra base training for the long season ahead of him.

"His season goals remain the same and he is looking forward to performing as planned in major spring races like Milan-San Remo and Flanders before his focus shifts toward the stage racing."

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