British champion Mark Cavendish is raring to go at Milan-San Remo and Gent-Wevelgem after Omega Pharma-Quickstep confirmed the Manx Missile’s Classics programme.

Cavendish, winner of Milan-San Remo in 2009, is one of a number of big-name sprinters set for the opening Monument of the season after organisers were forced to remove the planned new climb of Pompeiana amid safety concerns.

And with route changes to Gent-Wevelgem also opening the race up for a potential bunch sprint, Omega Pharma-QuickStep have confirmed Cavendish will be on the start line before also competing at the Three Days of De Panne and Scheldeprijs.

“I’m very happy to be riding in Milano-San Remo, on the same route where I watched my heroes race and win when I was a kid,” said Cavendish.

“It will be fun and stimulating to ride on this route, which is making this race the only Classics Monument for the sprinters.

“I’m also very happy to race in Belgium. I’ve never won Gent-Wevelgem. The route for this race has gone back to how it used to be, too. Driedaagse van De Panne and Scheldeprijs will complete my ‘Flemish’ schedule, during which I can also count on a squad that’s as strong on this type of route as Omega Pharma-QuickStep.”

Decided with @opqscyclingteam to race Milan-San Remo & Gent Wevelgem. Both courses similar to when I watched cycling as a teenager. #excited

— Mark Cavendish (@MarkCavendish) March 4, 2014

Sport and development manager Rolf Adag added: “Without the Pompeiana, the route is back to being suitable to the skills of athletes like Mark.

“After San-Remo Mark will participate in Gent-Wevelgem. The Flemish classic also underwent a slight variation to the route that could favor the arrival in the final sprint.”