Mark Cavendish to make track return at Derby Revolution round
Cavendish targets UCI ranking points in the Ominium to gain Olympic qualification for Rio 2016
Mark Cavendish (Etixx- Quick-Step) is set to make his long-awaited return to the track this weekend at the Revolution Series at Derby Velodrome, as he searches for valuable UCI ranking points to gain a place at the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The Derby round of the track series is a UCI class one event, which will allow the British stars to target qualification points for their respective events. Cavendish, who hasn't ridden an Olympic track event since 2008 in Beijing, will be trying to gain points in the Ominium event and says he is excited about getting back on the boards.
>>> No happy ending for Mark Cavendish after hardest Tour de France of his life
“I’m looking forward to getting back on track and trying the Omnium,” Cavendish said.
“I’ve always maintained that my focus is my performances on the road as a professional rider for Etixx-Quick Step. However if there was any chance, however small, that I could be in a position to go for an Olympic medal in Rio then I have to keep all of my options open.
"No definitive decisions have been made yet. So I will try to do this through picking up qualification points in the Omnium fitted around my road racing schedule. The Omnium is a tough event with all the different disciplines so Derby will be a good test and we’ll see how things progress from there."
The Manxman could also feature alongside Sir Bradley Wiggins in the Madison, the first time since Beijing, with both their names down on the organiser's startlist for the event.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Riders need 90 UCI points by September 19 to race track World Cup events and British Cycling endurance Heiko Salzwedel stressed the importance of the Derby event in the build up to next year's Olympics and World Championships.
>>> Bradley Wiggins to ride opening round of Revolution Series
"The Derby Revolution event is a very important milestone in our preparations for the Olympic Games in 2016.
"We have two purposes for the event. One is of course collecting UCI points which will let our riders qualify for the World Championship in London next year, but the other is to establish a pecking order within Team GB – we’re looking to determine who is our number one rider, who is our number two rider for each event.
"The dates for the event are no coincidence, this is a chance to try out our preparations for the Games next year – it’s a trial run.”
The Derby Revolution Series round will take place between Friday, August 14 and Sunday, August 16 with full details available here.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
Is your bike the noisest in the bunch? 13 steps to a silent ride
A quiet bike is a joy to ride, so here's how to banish unwanted noises - what to check for, how to fix it and why you shouldn't ignore what your bike is telling you
By Tim Russon Published
-
Cycplus Tiny E-Pump AS2 Review - an electric alternative to CO2
Small enough to fit in your pockets, it inflates to 100psi with a 200-second usage per charge
By Paul Grele Published
-
'My legs are screaming' - 17-year-old stuns with two gold medals at the British Track Championships
Sam Fisher enjoyed a dream day with victories in the team pursuit and scratch race
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I'm in shock' - 16-year-old school student wins medal at British Track Championships
A-Level student Henry Hobbs rode a blistering kilometre time trial to earn a spot on the podium
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Olympic hopeful Will Perrett dazzles at British Track Championships
27-year-old gains three laps to win points race in style, on a night when para-cycling national records tumbled
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I was expecting to be 7th or 8th’ - retired pro takes shock victory at British Track Championships
Pete Mitchell soared to a national title on his racing comeback
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Astana go all in on Cavendish in his final season, but will the confidence pay off?
The Kazakh team have bet big on the 38-year-old sprinter. Both they and Cavendish need 2024 to work
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish wins his first race in final season after perfect leadout in Tour Colombia
The Briton fended off the challenge of home rider Fernando Gaviria on stage four of the Tour Colombia
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish forced to settle for third in 2024 season opener in Colombia
Astana Qazaqstan rider says Tour Colombia stage one result ‘best debut race for a few years’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish seeking aerobic gains at altitude before focusing on high intensity work ahead of new season
Astana head coach Vasilis Anastopoulos: ‘Cavendish is currently doing lots of hours in the saddle and only short sessions of more intensive work’
By Tom Thewlis Published