The Bahrain-Merida team has signed several important contracts for the 2020 season, but none as high-profile and ambitious as the acquisition of Mark Cavendish from Dimension Data.

The 34-year-old Cavendish has suffered for two years from poor health and a long-standing virus, but Bahrain Merida's new manager Rod Ellingworth (the man behind Cavendish's 2011 World Championship win) is fully Cavendish's attempts to rebuild his career.

"It's a challenge, but I believe he can win," Ellingworth told Cycling News in a long interview at McLaren headquarters.

"That's why he's here. That's why he's here." 'I've been really upfront with him. He's here to do his job. I want everyone on the team to be clear about why they are here. Some are development riders; some are here to win. I've been very clear with Mark that he is a bike rider and he is either here to win or to help win."

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Cavendish's highly successful 2016 season was the last year in which the British rider was at his peak. He had a nearly flawless track and road program that year, consistently winning throughout the year, winning four stages at the Tour de France, and wearing the yellow jersey for a day. Later in the year, he finished second in the world championships and in the Olympic omnium.

Cavendish's Epstein-Barr virus did not become public until August 2018, and it took almost a full year for the British rider to declare that he had overcome the disease.

The 2019 campaign proved to be still tough for the Manxman, who missed the Tour de France selection in controversial fashion and prepared for the New Year with the last race of the season. Cavendish recently tracked Six Day London and will compete in the Ghent Six this week.

He has now moved from Dimension Data to Bahrain-Merida, giving him a chance to team up with Ellingworth.

"I just think he needs to keep it simple and get back to what he's really good at," Ellingworth said.

"He had a period of time where he was suffering because of his illness, and I think he was emotionally devastated by that. My job is to support him as best I can and then see what I can do."

"I've also told him he's not old, he's experienced. He's only 34 years old, and in the grand scheme of things he's a young man, not an old man. Sure, he has had his problems with illness and team issues. He had a lot of winning experience just a few years ago and his 2016 season was phenomenal.

"I don't think it gets reported enough, but winning the World Madison Championships, competing in the Tour and winning every stage, wearing yellow, coming in second at the Olympics, coming in second at the World Championships, just the athletic ability to switch from one discipline to another is pretty phenomenal. His athletic ability to switch from one discipline to another alone is quite astounding. Like him or not, he is a world-class athlete.

Even with Ellingworth's confidence and the full support of Bahrain Merdia, there is no guarantee that Cavendish will ever regain his winning legs. Behind the scenes, however, he has dispelled rumors of retirement and is more motivated than ever with a new hunger, as athletes tend to do when they change environments.

Cavendish and Ellingworth have bonded after Ellingworth contracted the same virus as Cavendish.

"He and I are honest with each other, and there comes a point where it just seems like an athlete can't do it anymore. He is still here and can do a really good job and be a great ambassador for the team and the sport. [If Mark doesn't make it, it's not because he didn't try. We give it our all and stand tall against anyone who says otherwise. If someone is willing to bet their guts that way, that is very admirable."

Ellingworth is clearly determined to make Cavendish's move to Bahrain-Merida a success. While acknowledging that he and Cavendish's reputation will depend on this move, the former head of performance at Team Sky is dreaming of a scenario that has seemed unlikely for the past two years.

"What if he comes back, wins a stage in the Tour, and the Tour dream comes true again?