Cavendish gets bid for gold underway

Mark Cavendish began his bid to claim Great Britain’s first Olympic gold of the London 2012 Games today, while Irish hopes rested on Nicholas Roche, Daniel Martin and David McCann.

Cavendish, the world champion and winner of 23 Tour de France stages, was described as “the fastest man in the world” by Bradley Wiggins as the team were introduced to rapturous applause from spectators on The Mall ahead of the 250-kilometre road race into Surrey.

Wiggins, who last Sunday became the first British winner of the Tour’s yellow jersey, was a key component of the five-man team, who were introduced to Prince Charles and his wife the Duchess of Cornwall, seeking to help Britain to glory.

Chris Froome, who finished second to Wiggins in the Tour, David Millar and British champion Ian Stannard completed the line-up.

Cavendish competed at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing but suffered the ignominy of being the only member of the British track team to return home without a medal.

The 27-year-old Manxman withdrew from the 2008 Tour prior to reaching Paris after four stage wins to turn his attentions to the Olympic Madison alongside Wiggins.

But an exhausted and ill Wiggins, after gold medals in the team and individual pursuit events, and Cavendish combined to place a disappointing ninth, despite being world champions entering the event.

Wiggins does not feel a debt is owed but is determined to do his utmost to support his friend’s bid for victory.

Germany’s Andre Greipel, Peter Sagan of Slovakia, Belgian duo Tom Boonen and Philippe Gilbert and Swiss rider Fabian Cancellara were among Cavendish’s major rivals.