Mark Cavendish meets with GB coaches to declare availability for Olympic Games

Mark Cavendish is leaving his Olympic Games fate in the hands of the Great Britain coaching staff after reportedly formally declaring his availability at a meeting in Italy.

According to the Guardian's William Fotheringham, Cavendish met with British Cycling technical director Shane Sutton and other coaches to discuss his performances at the UCI Track World Championships in London.

Here, Cavendish reportedly said he would still like to be considered to ride the omnium in Rio, despite finishing out of the medals in the Worlds.

“We told him to go away and think about whether he wanted to put himself up for selection,” Sutton told the Guardian. “He got up to the bronze medal position at one point in the omnium [in London] and given he finished top five in the worlds he wants to put himself forward.”

To be selected for the omnium, though, Cavendish will have to prove his credentials in the team pursuit, for which he would have to serve as the fifth rider.

Sutton says Cavendish has pledged to spend time in a wind tunnel to work on his aero position for the endurance events.

“He feels he has more to come in those, it’s a matter of time spent on the tri-bars. He’s committed to come into the track as much as possible and I’m confident we’ll get what we want from him. I’m sure we’ll get a fit Mark Cavendish for the Games.”