Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka have confirmed that Mark Cavendish has been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus following a medical examination and that he has been advised to rest before returning to training. The medical results have indicated too that Cavendish will also have been unknowingly training and racing with EBV over recent months.
Cavendish said: “This season I’ve not felt physically myself and despite showing good numbers on the bike I have felt that there’s been something not right. Given this and on the back of these medical results, I’m glad to now finally have some clarity as to why I haven’t been able to perform at my optimum level during this time.
“Having received expert medical advice as a result of the findings I’ve been advised to take a period of total rest in order to fully recover. I’m now looking forward to taking the time necessary in order to get back to 100% fitness before then returning to racing again at peak physical condition.
“I’d like to thank everyone for the incredible support I’ve received and I look forward to seeing you all out on the road again soon.”
