Mark Cavendish is delighted to have Tour of Britain winner Jonathan Tiernan-Locke supporting him in his bid to retain his title at cycling’s world road race championships this week.
Cavendish claimed his fourth stage win of the tour yesterday but 27-year-old Tiernan-Locke (above) had most to celebrate in Guildford as he became the first home rider to win the event in 19 years.
Attention now turns to Limburg in Holland, where Cavendish’s bid for the road race title on Sunday will hinge on backing from an eight-man team.
Tiernan-Locke, who is a strong candidate to become a member of Team Sky next year, will be making his British debut.
But Cavendish, the man he is likely to replace, said: “I’m looking forward to having him in the national team. The way he’s been riding here this week, he’s an incredible talent.
“I think he’s moving up in the ranks to a Pro Tour team next year and I think he’ll do quite well.”
