Cavendish to join BBC commentary team for Olympic track racing

Mark Cavendish will join the BBC commentary team for the Olympic track racing, which starts on Thursday morning. Hopefully he doesn't talk as fast as he sprints.

"Back into the London 2012 Olympic action from Thursday, where I'll be co-presenting BBC track cycling coverage with Jake Humphrey," Cavendish Tweeted on Tuesday afternoon.

Team Sky star Cavendish ought to be a valuable addition to the commentary box. He's proven himself to be wry, intelligent, outspoken and very knowledgeable about the sport in exchanges with the press.

He doesn't suffer fools gladly either though, and fellow pundits will hope to not receive an acid-tongued rebuke from the Manxman.

Cavendish's track record

Given his outstanding record on the road, it's easy to forget Cavendish's impressive track performances. He was twice Madison world champion, with Rob Hayles in 2005 and Bradley Wiggins in 2008, and a Commonwealth scratch race winner in 2006.

He raced the Madison at Beijing 2008 with Bradley Wiggins, finishing eighth.

The Olympics remain a tough nut to crack for Cavendish. A pre-race favourite, he was disappointed to finish 29th in Saturday's Olympic road race after a large breakaway thwarted Great Britain's pursuit.

The following night, he was in Belgium, winning a criterium in the Flemish town of Ninove.

Olympic track cycling starts at 4pm on Thursday with women's team sprint qualifying.

Humphrey and Sue Barker will present the BBC's coverage, with Hugh Porter and Chris Boardman expected to offer their expertise in the commentary box.

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