Gold standard
Sky Bet make Mark Cavendish a 5/2 shot for Olympic gold after his Road World Championship win.
Last Updated: 26/09/11 12:31pm
Bookmaker Sky Bet make Mark Cavendish a 5/2 shot to claim Olympic gold next year after clinching the Road World Championship on Sunday.
The Manx rider sprinted clear in a nail-biting finish in Copenhagen to secure the eight-man Great Britain team a famous victory.
The result capped a remarkable year for the 26-year-old who has already picked up the Tour de France's green jersey and the Tour of Britain crown.
Cavendish, who will now wear the rainbow jersey next season, also became the first British World Champion since Tom Simpson claimed victory in San Sebastian in 1965.
Despite his remarkable year, the bookies remain cautious of Cavendish adding the coveted gold medal to his growing list of honours.
The Briton heads the field for London 2012 at 5/2 from Belgium's Philippe Gilbert (9/2) and perennial rival Thor Hushovd (8/1).
Sky Bet's Cycling manager Chris Kennedy said: "Cavendish finished off a tremendous team effort from the Great Britain squad in Denmark and he looks a solid favourite for the Olympic Gold medal next year.
"On a note of caution though, he will only be allowed four team-mates instead of seven for the Road Race in London and the course is much tougher than Sunday's flattish route in Copenhagen. He is going to have to ride the race of his life!"
The online betting firm are also offering 6/1 for Cavendish to win both the Olympic Road-Race gold and the Tour de France green jersey.
Kennedy added: "It's also 6/1 for Cav to do the double and win the Olympic Road-Race Gold along with re-claiming the Green Jersey in the Tour de France. This looks a mighty tall order with only a 5-day gap in between the Tour finishing and the Olympic Road Race."
