Cavendish eyes best chance of world title

Ace British rider Mark Cavendish told reporters that his best chance yet of winning the world road race title would come in Copenhagen in September.

The 26-year-old – who is coming off a tremendous Tour de France where he won the green jersey – said that a favourable course and a strong British team supporting him gave him real cause for optimism for the championships that run from September 19-25.

“I think with the team I have and the course it is the best chance of my career to win the worlds,” he said.

“It is not pan-flat, but it is flat. It is a technical circuit so we have to stay at the front quite a lot. We can go with a strong team and be the favourites to win.”

Cavendish, a two-time world champion in the Madison, also revealed he had already chosen who he would ride for next year but that he would not disclose who it was for some time yet.

His contract with present team HTC-Highroad expires at the end of the year and there has been suggestions he might switch to Team Sky, where another British star, Bradley Wiggins, is the team leader.

“I’m 100 per cent happy in my decision . There was one more ingredient put into an offer I’d had,” he said.

Cavendish, who had to beat off unsubstantiated claims during the Tour de France that he held on to cars to help him get through the mountain stages, said his decision was not based on money.

“I would get the same money whichever team I go to. I want to go to the best place to help me win.

“That might be the same place I am at now,” Cavendish said.