Mark Cavendish/Courtesy Wikipedia

So, for the casual observer, it might be difficult to understand why British star Mark Cavendish won’t be competing in his country’s national tour, the Tour of Britain.

Cavendish, arguably the world’s best sprinter, won four stages of the Tour de France in July. But instead of the competing in the Tour of Britain, Sept. 7-14, Cavendish, who is employed by the American-based squad Team Columbia, will compete beginning Sept. 8 in weeklong Tour of Missouri.

Cavendish will race for individual stage wins, but he’ll also ride in support of American George Hincapie, the team’s captain. Hincapie is the defending titlist in the 623-mile Tour of Missouri, a second-year race.