Last updated on .From the section Cycling
Cavendish equaled the all-time record for stage wins last year, but he won't ride the Tour.
After winning the British road race title on Sunday, Cavendish was hoping to be selected for the British team.
His Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl team have been planning for a Dutch sprinter to compete instead.
The tour starts on Friday in the Danes.
A serious crash during the Liege-Bastogne-Liege 'Monument' one-day race has caused the world road champion to miss his home Grand Tour.
Cavendish equaled the Tour de France record of 34 stage victories last year.
After three years of poor form caused by injury and illness, he had a fairy-tale comeback in 2021.
After winning a stage in the Giro d'Italia, Cavendish said he was in better shape than he was last year.
If Cavendish had been able to win one more stage this year, he would have been able to break the record.
In spite of Cavendish's form and his reputation as one of the greatest sprinters of all time, the 25-year-old Dutch man has won more races this season.
There is more to come.