Cycling: Sky the limit for champion Mark Cavendish

Mark Cavendish’s World Championship win may have cemented his move to Team Sky, according to Great Britain team-mate Geraint Thomas.

On Sunday, Cavendish became only the second Briton – and the first for almost half a century – to don the coveted rainbow jersey after producing a trademark surge to victory in Copenhagen.

Thomas was a key part of the eight-strong unit which shepherded Cavendish to victory and which was made up mainly of Team Sky riders.

“He’s obviously been talking to them,” said Thomas yesterday, after partying with the new world champion until 5.30am. “He wants to come, I think.

“Most of us there yesterday are in Sky and good mates of Cav. To be leading out the world champion next year would be really special.”

Thomas admitted he, Cavendish and the rest of the team celebrated Sunday’s win with more than “a few beers”.

“We were in the hotel lobby until about half-five in the morning, so quite a late one,” the Welshman added. “I definitely wasn’t singing, not that I remember anyway! It was a pretty special day. It was just amazing to be part of that.”

Indeed, despite the lack of personal glory, Thomas insisted yesterday felt better than winning Olympic team pursuit gold in Beijing three years ago.

He added: “It was the perfect day, really. It’s the most historic win that I’ve been a part of so far. We were just so strong as a unit and I think really showed how far we’ve come. Even three years ago, we wouldn’t have been able to put a strong [team of] eight riders in, let alone ride the way we did. And for Cav to finish it off like he did was just amazing.”

Cavendish will now be favourite to join Thomas as an Olympic champion when he goes for gold at next summer’s Games. Victory in London would add weight to the argument that he is already the greatest sprinter of all time, with the 26-year-old having won 20 stages in just five Tour de France appearances as well as the coveted Green Jersey at this year’s event. Thomas said: “He also won the Milan-San Remo, which is the biggest sprinter classic.

“He’s one of the best sprinters – if not the best – ever.”

Despite being happy to play second-fiddle to Cavendish at the weekend, Thomas will not be helping him cement his legacy with a gold medal in next year’s Olympic road race as the Welshman concentrates on the velodrome. Thomas was part of the team pursuit squad which won gold in world record time at the Beijing Olympics.

“I’ll probably miss it and just ride the track,” he said. “That’s my best chance of winning a gold medal and I don’t want to risk jeopardising my chances.”

More road and track glory beckons on home soil next year as the greatest era in the history of British cycling shows no sign of ending. Thomas said: “Since 2000 with Jason Queally, it’s just snowballed. Beijing was just amazing and Sky came on board out of that success. When there are people around you doing it, it just gives you that confidence.”

The 25-year-old added: “There were five or six back in the UK who could’ve ridden yesterday as well. It just shows how strong British cycling is now. To be part of that generation coming through is pretty special.”