Mark Cavendish makes himself available for Olympic place
By Andrew Dickson
Last Updated: 24/03/16 6:39pm
Mark Cavendish has made himself available for selection for Great Britain's Olympic track cycling team as he bids to win a Games medal for the first time.
The 30-year-old failed to secure a guaranteed place in the squad when he came sixth in the omnium at the track Cycling World Championships earlier this month.
He has taken time to reflect, however, and after previous disappointments at the 2008 and 2012 Games in Beijing and London he is keen to have another attempt.
Although Cavendish won gold alongside Sir Bradley Wiggins in the Madison at this month's competition, that is not an Olympic discipline.
Nevertheless, the Isle of Man rider has had discussions with British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton and put himself forward.
Sutton said: "I spoke to him earlier this week on what his intentions were and his intentions are to carry on with the project.
"Given his performance at the worlds, he's decided that he wants to be put forward for selection at the Games.
"We just wanted him to go away and see where he was at. He's decided he feels he's done enough to warrant putting himself forward and he believes he can still win."
The rider in the omnium must also be able to slot into the four-rider, four-kilometre team pursuit squad as there are three rounds of competition in close proximity.
The team event takes priority over the omnium, which can be something of a lottery, and Cavendish must be able to compete at gold medal-winning, world record-breaking pace.
His participation in Rio now depends on proving himself to the selection panel of Sutton, head coach Iain Dyer, team manager Keith Reynolds and men's endurance coach Heiko Salzwedel.
They will make the final call on his participation by their June 13 deadline and the final team will be announced by the British Olympic Association.
Wiggins has stated his support for Cavendish's inclusion but the multiple Olympic champion will have no say on who is selected.
Cavendish was ninth in the Omnium eight years ago and suffered the ignominy of being the only member of the British track cycling team not to win a medal in Beijing.
He then finished 29th in the road race in London and is set to ride once again in this year's Tour de France, something he believes would be crucial in any possible preparations for Rio.
Cavendish would need to leave the Tour early to finalise plans for the Games, however, and that may not sit well with him after he vowed not to do it again following the same scenario playing out in 2008.
