Mark Cavendish, who took the world Madison title in a thrilling finale to the UCI Track Cycling World Championships on Sunday with Bradley Wiggins, hopes to shine on the track at the Olympic Games. He wants to be selected to ride the omnium but his team, Dimension Data, expects to select him for the Tour de France this summer. 

According to British Cycling head Shayne Sutton, the British sprinter will have to leave the French three-week race before the end. "For sure, he will be at the Tour - 100 per cent. [But] Cav won't do three weeks of the Tour. If he wants to medal, he's well aware that he probably wouldn't be going to Paris", he told Sky Sports. "That will be a discussion between Cav, Dougie [Ryder, Dimension Data team principal] and Brian [Smith, Dimension Data team manager]."

"I'm very close to Brian Smith and Dougie (Ryder) and they're very supportive of the venture. It's just a matter of sitting down with Cav and, 'Are we going to do this? Do you want to put yourself forward?', and then the selection panel will come together. Cav's bought into the plan. That's not an issue. He wouldn't be here if Dimension Data weren't 100 per cent behind him."

If Cavendish gets selected for the Omnium, he will be also the fifth man of Britain's pursuit team. "I have total confidence that Cav can do the job in TP [team pursuit]. I have always believed that. I don't think that comes into question for me. A lot of people say, 'Are you diluting your TP medal opportunity?' I don't believe that at all. I believe Cav is, from years and years ago, a very good little TPer and, when he's on form, I'm sure he can pull his weight. I haven't got any problems in that area at all."