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

Team HTC Columbia boss Rolf Aldag says that he is delighted with Manx sprinter Mark Cavendish's preparations for the 2010 season.

The 24-year-old starts his season on Sunday at the Spanish stage race Ruta del Sol.

Aldag told BBC Isle of Man: "The late start has given Mark the chance to do some extra base training, which he will benefit from over a long season.

"His first real goal remains the one-day classic Milan-San Remo."

Cavendish won the Milan-San Remo Classic last year to confirm his status as one of the world's leading sprinters.

Aldag continued: "His major goals for the season are to win the green jersey at the Tour de France and the world championships."

Cavendish 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.

He concluded: "After this long period of training he feels ready to compete and wants to use the Ruta del Sol to get back into his racing rhythm."

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