British sprint star Mark Cavendish has made the rainbow jersey top of his hit list in 2011 after previewing the World Championship course in Copenhagen.

Cavendish, who has 15 Tour de France stages to his name, withdrew with three laps remaining of this year’s race in Geelong, along with team-mates David Millar and Jeremy Hunt.

But the 25-year-old insists the 14km city circuit in Denmark provides the perfect opportunity for him to succeed Thor Hushovd as world champion.

“The route is much easier than in Geelong, but actually harder than I thought. It’s technically very difficult,” Cavendish told CyclingWorld.dk after completing two laps of the circuit.

“I think it’ll finish with a large bunch sprint. With the finish on a hill, it becomes a pure power sprint. It will be one of the most important races for me in 2011 and I will make a huge effort to become world champion.

“As worlds courses go it couldn’t get any better. It’ll be the biggest opportunity for a bunch sprint that I’ll have in my life – so hopefully it’ll be a bunch sprint.”

While largely flat, the 2010 Geelong featured two stiff climbs which put paid to Cavendish’s efforts.

And Danish Cycling Federation director Jesper Worre believes the 2011 course will be no walk in the park.

“We have designed an interesting and demanding route for the road race going up Geels Bakke. We are convinced that it will be a very tough and varied World Championship in Denmark 2011.”