Friday 19 August 2016 15:56, UK
Mark Cavendish is optimistic he can become the first man to win track and road World Championship titles in the same year.
The 31-year-old has returned to the UK after his silver medal-winning performance in the omnium at the Olympics in Rio, and is now looking ahead to another world title attempt in Doha, in October.
Cavendish has already claimed the men's madison title, riding to victory with Sir Bradley Wiggins in March.
Now he will prepare for the trip to Qatar with a ride in next month's Tour of Britain and believes it can be a good springboard for his hopes in Doha.
Speaking on Sky Sports News HQ, Cavendish said: "It's always nice to ride at home in the UK, especially after we had a successful Tour like we had and a successful Olympics.
"To ride in front of a home crowd is special. The course is pretty tough so I won't have high aspirations of winning anything there but it's all good preparation for the World Championships.
"I don't think anybody has ever won the track and road World Championships in the same year so I'm aiming to do that with GB this year.
"With myself and the team we have as Great Britain on the road, I think we've got the best chance of any nation."
Cavendish claimed his omnium medal after not featuring in the gold-winning men's pursuit team, for which he was named as reserve.
There were reports of friction between Cavendish and Wiggins, but British Cycling maintained the priority had always been for the Isle of Man rider to compete in the omnium, while Wiggins has denied any problems.
Cavendish played down talk of any rift with his team-mate and on his own efforts, added: "Obviously I'd have liked gold but it's nice.
"After what the British cycling team did - letting me drop in when I normally ride on the road, letting me come in to train at different times and putting their support behind me - I'm super happy.
"When I sat and commentated on the team pursuit in the London Olympics, I said 'I want to be part of that' but I've been away doing my road commitments.
"The guys who rode the four rounds, they've been training together just for that. Of course, you'd like to be part of something but we all got medals at the end of the day"
Another landmark within Cavendish's sights is Eddy Merckx's total of 34 Tour de France, with the Brit now on 30 after four wins at this year's event.
"It's not really a target," he said. "You've got to show the Tour de France the respect it deserves. It's arguably the hardest sporting event on the planet.
"To win one stage in your career would make your career and I'd be happy just to win one stage in my career.
"To win one every year is what I strive for. To win four or five more? If it happens, it happens and if it doesn't, it doesn't.
"The Tour de France has given me the career I've had and it's the race I respect the most. It's a beautiful, beautiful journey in July and I just go and do the best I can with my team."
