Mark Cavendish is concerned that his relationship with teammate Fabio Jacobsen will deteriorate as a result of the question marks surrounding his selection for this year's Tour de France.

Cavendish, who won four stages at last year's Tour de France (open in new tab), tying Eddy Merckx's record of 34 stage wins (open in new tab), blamed the media if talk of rivalry caused a rift between the two sprinters He suggested.

Despite his victory last July, Cavendish is again not guaranteed to be in Quick-Step Alphavinir's lineup for this year's Tour de France, as he was a late replacement for the injured Sam Bennett. Jacobsen suggested at the start of the season that the sprinter's spot was his, but team boss Patrick Lefevere later tempered that comment, saying that a decision would be made in the near future and "the best rider will go."

"Either I go or I don't, my teammates go or they don't. It's simple. In my honest opinion, it's a pretty lame story. It's that simple," Cavendish said on Eurosport's "The Breakdown" podcast (opens in new tab).

Cavendish emphasized the strength of his relationship with Jacobsen, who has returned from a life-threatening crash in the summer of 2020 and is back in the top class of sprint racing.

Cavendish was moved to tears when shown a video message from Jacobsen, who won his first Tour last year: "He will start his own history at the Tour de France next year.

Cavendish indicated that he did not want to talk about the Tour de France selection because he was afraid of damaging that bond.

"Fabio and I have supported each other over the last few years. Fabio and I have been supporting each other for the last few years. What I don't want most and what Fabio doesn't want most ...... What I fear about this is that it will create a rivalry between us.

"I only know from experience what happens when the media wants to create a rivalry. That's not a very good thing. Unfortunately, it starts to cause friction.

"So we're pretty reluctant to talk about it. I don't want to get on the wrong side of my colleagues over something we can't control. What I can control is not to talk about it, so that outside influences that are out of my control don't affect me."

While the conversation on the podcast largely revolved around the topic of mental health, Cavendish added that he struggles to avoid being influenced by those who are skeptical or belittling. He felt that there are a few people who "expect me to fail" and even suggested that "it is something that is pretty close to home."

"I can't go to the Tour because there are people who want Fabio to go to the Tour. Don't get me wrong, it's a very small segment of the population. It's that chip. That little layer is a big chip on your shoulder," Cavendish said, insisting that there is loyalty and support within the Quick-Step Alfa Vinyl team.

"No matter who goes to the Tour, ...... every other rider on the team will be glued to the TV screaming at them. It's funny that there is a narrative about someone who isn't. In a way it pisses me off and I don't want to talk about it."

Cavendish is scheduled to compete in the Giro d'Italia on Friday, but remains in contention for the Tour de France.