MARK CAVENDISH believes everything he needs is in place as he takes another shot at more Tour de France history over the next three weeks.

Cavendish will line up for Saturday’s opening stage in Florence with 34 Tour stage wins to his name, holding the all-time record alongside Eddy Merckx.

Last year was supposed to be Cavendish’s final Tour, his final chance to take the record outright, but when it was ended by a stage-eight crash, the Manxman was persuaded a career like his could not be allowed to end in the back of an ambulance. He returned for one more season.

Although illness has disrupted some of his campaign to date, Cavendish is in confident mood as he looks towards Monday’s stage three into Turin, expected to be the first sprint opportunity.

“We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t think it was possible,” the 39-year-old said. “I don’t think any other team would be here if they didn’t think it was possible. It’s our job as cyclists to try and win. Realistically there’s five or six chances and it’s hard.

“I’ve won 34 stages. I’ve won the most stages along with the great Eddy Merckx. I just try for more and if there’s one, two, or 10 it doesn’t matter. We have a job to do which is to try to win and take every day like that and approach it like any other bike race.”