Mark Cavendish still thinks he might strike up his partnership with Sir Bradley Wiggins back on the track.
Cavendish, who has just joined South African team MTN-Qhubeka after three years racing for Etixx-Quick-Step, and Wiggins won the madison world title in 2008 but failed to follow that up at the Olympics.
The effect of the latter’s efforts in the individual and team pursuit took its toll to leave the former as the only member of the British team without a medal.
Their relationship has always been tempestuous, they didn’t speak for months after Beijing, though now both profess to love each other like brothers.
Cavendish and Wiggins were reunited on the track earlier this year and both are targeting track medals at next year’s Olympics, in the omnium and team pursuit respectively.
“We have always been good friends and we rode a madison quite recently and we won it, in fact quite convincingly,” said Cavendish.
“We complement each other’s styles really well. I am a fast finisher, a sprinter and Bradley has got the ability as a track cycler and is able to stay the whole at a high pace for a long amount of time.
“I think you put those two together and you come up with a formidable team and it would be exciting to ride with Brad again.”
Unfortunately that won’t happen in London next month as Cavendish will miss the return of Six Day racing to the capital following a shoulder operation required after a fall during the recent Tour of Britain.
Six Day racing – last staged at Wembley Arena over three decades ago – sees teams of two race a variety of events over six consecutive nights, with a 5,000 crowd also treated to live entertainment, DJs and a light show.
“If I was going to describe Six Day racing I’d say imagine going to a football match or arena sport where you have also got a show going on,” added Cavendish.
“A Six Day meeting is a party with cycling going on at the same time, it is centred around the cycling but it is also a great night out.”
In his absence, Cavendish believes Adam Blythe and Germain Burton could be ones to catch the eye of the home crowd.
“Adam is a good friend of mine and he’s a great talent who has won races on the road and on the track. He is incredibly fast and I think his characteristics suit what’s needed to be successful in Six Day races,” he added.
“I have been training with Jermaine this year and I have seen him race, the guy has got balls, he puts himself out there. It’s his home city and he’ll have a point to prove.”
Six Day London is at Lee Valley VeloPark between 18-23 Oct – tickets now on sale at www.sixday.com. Come and see the world’s best track cyclists in action and be part of an electric party atmosphere at London’s Olympic Velodrome.
