Mark Cavendish (open in new tab) will kick off his 2022 campaign on Thursday at the Tour of Oman (open in new tab).

The Manxman has competed in Oman three times before, with one of his 156 wins coming on the final day of the 2011 event. With three sprint stages scheduled for this week's race, he is expected to battle it out with Fernando Gaviria (UAE Team Emirates) and Amaury Capio (Alcare Samsic).

Cavendish's start to 2022 was delayed when he was hospitalized for several days with a collapsed lung and broken ribs after a major crash in the Ghent 6-day race. He then suffered a traumatic assault when burglars broke into his home and threatened him and his family. He recently attended a second training camp with Quick Step Alfavinir in Portugal after the team's traditional training camp in Calpe, Spain.

He is looking forward to discovering his racing form at the races.

"I think everyone entering a new season is looking forward to checking their form," Cavendish explained to the media, including Oman Cycling News.

"I really don't know. It doesn't really matter how I'm doing until I compare myself to the other riders."

The 36-year-old hopes to start the new season with a win this week and plans to take on the likes of Iljo Keisse, Stein Störs, and neo-pro Stan Van Trijdt in the sprints. 2021 Giro stage winner Mauro Schmidt will field a versatile team that will include the likes of Mauro Schmidt, and will be able to handle the flats, hills, and crosswinds. However, British neo-pro Ethan Vernon will not compete in the Tour of Oman after knee problems surfaced and forced him to postpone his debut.

"We are here with a group that can handle any terrain," Cavendish said.

"There are probably three sprint opportunities this year. It's a big climb up Green Mountain and you have to be ready for all kinds of terrain. It's not going to be an easy few days."

"But it's a great preparation race for the big races coming up. I've been here a few times and I enjoy the race. I've been here a few times and enjoy the racing.

Masnada, the GC leader of Quick Step Alpha Vinyl, is one of the top contenders, at least on paper, in this race, which has a Green Mountain summit finish, an uphill finish in Qurayat, and a hilly stage to Muscat's Royal Opera House. He is one of the top contenders, at least on paper.

But he has yet to check out the potential rivals on the start list, including the in-form Rui Costa (UAE Team Emirates), Elie Gesbert (Alcare Samsic), and the Intermarke Wanty Gobert duo of Rein Taaramae and Jan Hilt He said he had not yet checked out any of his rivals on the start list.

"To be honest, I haven't checked out the other teams and what players are already here.

"But teams like DSM (Henri Vandenaveer and Kevin Vermaquet) and Alcare Samsic (Elie Gesbert) certainly have strong climbers who will be in front in the final."

The Italian, who finished the 2021 season second in Il Lombardia, said Green Mountain will be a major GC spark for the race.

"I've never been to the Tour of Oman, so I don't know about the climbs yet. Everyone said that climb was hard and that it was the climb that would decide the overall race.

"Of course, there will be stages with strong winds, so we need to focus on all five stages. Cav is the leader in the Springs and we want to do our best in the mountains."

Daniel Ostanek (open in new tab) is in the Tour of Oman.