Doha - World champion Mark Cavendish is facing a tough juggling act this summer as he targets the Tour de France and the Olympic road-race gold medal at the London Olympics.
The Isle of Man rider is opening his season under the Gulf sun at the Tour of Qatar, following a winter of intensive training by his own account.
It will be, he said a massive year with the Tour de France in July and the London Olympics starting shortly after the race finishes placing a premium on fitness and durability.
"I want to have a great season," he said. "That starts with the Tour de France which remains for any cyclist the prime objective. I have now won twenty stages and I want to win some more.
"But I would be telling a lie if I said I was not dreaming of the Olympic race also.
"I have strong patriotic feelings and the games in London is for me the chance of a lifetime.
"July is going to be hectic and I have to be careful that I don't get to London being totally exhausted."