Cav could ride individual pursuit

Mark Cavendish, British cycling's sprint sensation who is basking in the glory after a remarkable Tour de France in which he won four stages, could be a surprise pick for the Individual Pursuit at the Beijing Olympics next month. "Cavendish - under the direction of the GB coaches - is currently enjoying a week doing absolutely nothing at his home in Italy resting up after his exertions on the Tour but will travel to Manchester next week to start his track preparations," reports the Daily Telegraph. "At the Velodrome in Manchester he will ride a trial 4km at some stage next week to assess his general track fitness and, more importantly, he will ride a full trial when he arrives in Beijing a few days after the main GB party. 'Anything around 4min 20 or under and Cav would very much come into the equation,' said head coach Shane Sutton yesterday."