Mark Cavendish takes Olympic silver medal in omnium as Elia Viviani seals gold
Cavendish took a long-awaited Olympic medal after holding onto second place in the points race finale of the omnium in Rio


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Mark Cavendish took a long-awaited Olympic medal on Monday night in the Rio velodrome, taking silver behind Elia Viviani (Italy) after the final race of the omnium.
The Manxman held onto his second place after contesting the points race, which was fiercely competitive as riders made last gasp attempts to grab a podium spot.
>>> Bradley Wiggins denies Mark Cavendish rift after team pursuit
Cavendish faced his biggest competition from third place Lasse Norman Hansen (Denmark), who managed to take an early lap on the field with around 115 laps remaining, putting he and the Briton on almost level pegging throughout the rest of the race.
Hansen held the silver position for a short time, but Cavendish consistently took points in the intermediate sprints and at one point looked to be gaining on Viviani, who kept his composure throughout the race despite being caught in a crash.
>>> My toughest day: Elia Viviani (video)
That crash saw Sanghoon Park of South Korea carried from the track on a stretcher, after Cavendish appeared to clatter into the side of him after drifting down from the top of the track. Australian Glenn O'Shea was also brought down but was able to continue.
World champion Feranando Gaviria (Colombia) was incredibly active and consistently attacked, even in the opening lap of the race, but couldn't move himself onto the podium after starting the race in seventh place overall.
By the end of the race, Cavendish was simply marking Hansen after realising he wasn't going to be able to catch Viviani, securing himself the silver medal.
The Manxman missed out on medals in the madison at Beijing 2008 and in the road race at London 2012, but added the silver to an already supreme palmarès which includes 30 stage wins of the Tour de France.
Result
2016 Olympic Games, Men's Omnium, final overall standings:
1. Elia Viviani (ITA) 207
2. Mark Cavendish (GBR) 194
3. Lasse Norman Hansen (DEN) 192
4. Fernando Gaviria (COL) 181
5. Thomas Boudat (FRA) 172
6. Roger Kluge (GER) 167
7. Glenn O’Shea (AUS) 144
8. Dylan Kennett (NZL) 143
9. Tim Veldt (NED) 111
10. Artyom Zakharov (KAZ) 111
11. Leung Chun Wing (HKG) 105
12. Gael Suter (SUI) 95
13. Gideoni Monteiro (BRA) 94
14. Kazushige Kuboki (JPN) 81
15. Ignacio Prado (MEX) 73
16. Sanghoon Park (KOR) DNF
17. Bobby Lea (USA) DNF
18. Jasper de Buyst (BEL) DNF
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
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
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).
-
-
Durango to host Sepp Kuss homecoming celebration on October 19
The La Vuelta winner will be welcomed back to his hometown with a good old-fashioned American jubilee on October 19
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
‘The stress just doesn’t stop’ - 25-year-old British pro to retire
Charlie Quarterman cites contract uncertainty, health issues, and physical demands of elite competition as reasoning behind retirement decision
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish set to reunite with Quick-Step coach for final pro season in 2024
Vasilis Anastopoulos expected to imminently join Astana Qazaqstan along with Michael Mørkøv from Soudal Quick-Step
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish to postpone retirement and ride on with Astana Qazaqstan, reports
British sprinter reported to have reached agreement with current team to continue racing in 2024
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Opinion: Mark Cavendish Netflix documentary shows why Tour de France return is in doubt
Manxman's route out of depression shows what's really important
By Vern Pitt Published
-
‘A terrible loss’ - Mark Cavendish’s team reacts after sprinter abandons Tour de France
Astana-Qazaqstan riders sad to lose their leader, who crashed out of his final Tour de France on stage eight
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish crashes and abandons Tour de France on stage eight
Astana-Qazaqstan sprinter shown holding his collarbone after coming down on stage eight, so no stage win record
By Adam Becket Published
-
'We don't give any presents' - Jasper Philipsen keeps Mark Cavendish waiting for Tour de France record
Belgian continues sprint dominance, and pays tribute to 'best of all time' Cavendish
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Mark Cavendish ‘devastated’ as 35th Tour de France stage win slips through his fingers
Manxman suffers mechanical in Bordeaux as Jasper Philipsen grabs third stage win of the race
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
AS IT HAPPENED: Tour de France stage 7: Mark Cavendish gets another record breaking chance
After two thrillers in the Pyrenees its another day for the sprinters as the race heads to Bordeaux
By James Shrubsall Last updated