Mark Cavendish preparing for Qatar race by spending ‘several hours’ a day in sauna

The temperature forecast for the 257.5km race through the Qatari desert is 36 degrees Celsius.

British cycling star Mark Cavendish has been preparing for Sunday's Road World Championships in Doha by spending "several hours" a day in the sauna.

The temperature forecast for the 257.5-kilometre race through the Qatari desert is 36 degrees Celsius - probably not hot enough to trigger a reduction in the race distance on safety grounds but enough to melt an under-prepared challenge.