Team Sky's Chris Sutton was fourth as he helped Australian teammate Allan Davis to victory at the Commonwealth Games.
CJ makes teamwork count in New Delhi
Team Sky's Chris Sutton was fourth as he helped Australian teammate Allan Davis to victory in the men's road race at the Commonwealth Games.
The 168 kilometres contest may have taken place on a pan-fat course - 12 circuits around New Delhi - but the expected bunch finish didn't materialise as 11 riders had worked themselves clear of the main group with nearly four laps remaining.
Crucially, the Isle of Man's Mark Cavendish was one of those men and his presence meant that attacks came thick and fast as the others tried to shake him off.
That finally happened with around five kilometres to go as Sutton, Scotland's David Millar, Hayden Roulston of New Zealand and Northern Ireland's David McCann put daylight between themselves and the rest.
But just when it looked as if they had it between them Davis, third in the World Championships road race in Geelong a week earlier, managed to bridge the gap to put Australia in pole position with two men in the front group of five.
And they made that advantage count, Sutton marking the moves and then leading out the sprint which Davis finished off in style as he got the better of Roulston, with Millar taking the bronze.
Sutton was four seconds back in fourth but crossed the line with arms raised in triumph for his teammate despite missing out on a medal himself.
McCann, who had helped shape the race after going more than three minutes clear in an earlier break with New Zealand's Gordon McCauley, had to settle for fifth while pre-race favourite Cavendish came home in seventh, 59 seconds adrift.
Chris Froome was the second Team Sky rider to take part in the race and he finished in 44th, 7:22 down. His England teammate Alex Dowsett, who is joining Team Sky for next season, was 14th.
Davis' victory was Australia's 14th gold medal from 16 cycling events on the road and track.
