Mark Cavendish will be desperate to join his medal winning teammates on the GB track cycling team with a medal of his own in the second day of the Omnium today, a discipline consisting of six events held over two days.
Day one saw him achieve mixed and, at times, frustrating results. First up was the scratch race where all 18 riders line up for a 15km, straight up, first over the line event. Cav came a creditable sixth.
Next up was the individual pursuit where he recorded a blistering 4min 14.982sec, the second fastest time, and marking him out as a strong medal contender.
The Elimination race, sometimes known as ‘Devil Take The Hindmost’ followed. This is the most exciting of the Omnium events with the last rider on each second lap eliminated from the pack. Cav looked comfortable in the opening stages sticking close to the front, but briefly strayed into the Cote d’azur, the blue, inside section of the track when he swerved to avoid crashing into a rider in front of him. The judges picked it up and he was given a disappointing 7th place.
This puts him third overall as things stand. Today sees him take part in the 1km time trial where he will hope to replicate the sensational pace he showed in yesterday’s pursuit. Then he’ll be looking to put in a storming flying lap. Finally it's the points race: 40km round the track with a sprint held every 10 laps. Cav’s wily track skills could come into play.
Despite an extraordinary palmares including Gold in the World Championships and Commonwealth Games, not to mention his outstanding road race record of 30 stage wins in the Tour de France, Olympic glory has eluded him. Whatever you do today, make sure you’re tuned in to watch him this afternoon and this evening to support, pray for and admire one of GB’s most talented cyclists of all time.
