Jon Dibben keen to win Britain's omnium place at Rio Olympic Games
By Matt Westby
Last Updated: 05/03/16 11:02am
Jon Dibben hopes his sensational win in the points race at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships will aid his chances of beating Mark Cavendish to Britain's lone place in the omnium at the Rio Olympics.
Dibben claimed the first world title of his career with a brilliant late surge on Friday night.
The points race is the last and most important event of the six-race omnium, which Cavendish is hoping to race in Rio as he chases a first Olympic medal.
The Manxman is currently in pole position for Britain's place, but Dibben is ready to step in.
He said: "It [his points race win] doesn't do any harm. The points race is the main event of the omnium.
"We will see how Cav goes and I will keep pressing my case.
"Of course, I'd love to do it. The team pursuit is the main goal in Rio, and then it's the omnium. You get a day off and then two days of racing."
British Cycling men's endurance coach Heiko Salzwedel admitted Dibben's win had helped his chances of being selected for the omnium in Rio, but suggested Cavendish remains first choice.
He said: "It definitely helps him. It's always good to have a second option and it is always good to have competition.
"If something goes wrong with Mark Cavendish, we have a strong alternative ready to go."
