Mark Cavendish focused on Olympic glory in Rio as he leaves Tour de France
The Manx Missile has his sights on cycling gold after missing out at London 2012
Mark Cavendish claimed his fourth stage win at the 2016 Tour de France on 16 July (Photo: Getty Images/Chris Graythen)
Mark Cavendish, one of the world’s leading cyclists on both track and road, confirmed on Tuesday (19 July) that he is leaving this year’s Tour de France to concentrate on preparations for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
The sprint specialist said that the heat and fatigue of the past couple of weeks in France threatened to compromise his preparation for the Games. The rider from the Isle of Man will represent Team GB in Rio and is coming into the Games in strong form, having won four stages on the Tour de France and spent time in both the yellow jersey (for overall race leader) and the green jersey (for leader of the points classification).
Cavendish finished top of the Tour de France points classification in 2011 and was runner-up in 2009, 2010 and 2013. Only Belgian legend Eddy Merckx has more stage wins (34) than Cavendish (30).
In Rio, Cavendish plans to make his mark in the track events and will take part in the men's Omnium at the brand-new Rio Olympic Velodrome.
Become a track cycling expert with our infographic
Team-mate Sir Bradley Wiggins will be making his final Olympic appearance at Rio 2016 and will be looking to add to the four gold medals won at Athens 2004, Beijing 2008 (x2) and London 2012. Like Cavendish, the 36-year-old Wiggins is an accomplished operator on both track and road. Wiggins won the Tour de France in 2012: the first British cyclist to come home first in the general classification. In Rio, he will be competing on the track in the team pursuit.
Fellow British cyclist Chris Froome will be joining Cavendish and Wiggins in Rio but on the roads rather than the track. The reigning Tour de France champion, who currently leads this year’s competition, also won the general classification in 2013 and took bronze at the London 2012 time trial event. This year, he will be looking to make amends for that disappointment by taking home gold in the time trial.
Become an expert on road cycling with our infographic
The Great Britain men’s road race team will also feature Froome alongside Geraint Thomas, Adam Yates, Ian Stannard, and Steve Cummings.
