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Omega await Cavendish decision

ESPN staff
September 26, 2012
Mark Cavendish has played second fiddle to Bradley Wiggins at Team Sky this season © Getty Images
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Belgian team Omega Pharma-QuickStep are keen to open talks with former world champion Mark Cavendish, but are keeping their distance until the Manxman comes to an agreement about his future with Team Sky.

Cavendish is contracted to Sky for another year but has indicated that he intends to leave the British team at the end of the season after missing out on Olympic gold and failing to defend his world title last weekend.

UCI rules stipulate that no rival team may open talks with a rider until both the he and his team have informed them of his status, leaving Omega bosses awaiting permission from the governing body to follow up on their interest.

"We do not know whether Sky and Cavendish have already taken steps in that direction," Coeman told Gazet van Antwerpen. "As long as the release is not there, we cannot start official talks with Cavendish."

The Belgian newspaper reported that Austrian rider Bernhard Eisel could follow Cavendish to Omega, with Team Sky prepared to accept less than the €1.2 million buyout clause in the sprinter's contract.

Sky, who claimed first and second place with Bradley Wiggins and Chris Froome at the Tour de France this year, are also linked with British Omega rider Andrew Fenn and announced the signing of Dario Cataldo on Wednesday.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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