Following Bradey Wiggins's victory in the Tour de France, enthusiasm for British cycling – and for Wiggo's sideburns in particular – has peaked
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Cavendish is the main man and expectations are high that he could sprint to Britain's first gold medal of the Games
Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP
There's plenty of support for Cavendish, who hails from the Isle of Man
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
After setting off from the Mall at 10am, the peloton sweeps towards Buckingham Palace
Photograph: Daniel Berehulak/AFP/Getty Images
The Brits are at the front of the pack as they ride past the Queen's residence
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
The colourful peloton follows in their wake
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
Marcel Sieberg of Germany poses on his bike as he rides past the crowds
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
She's been watching Blue Peter
Photograph: Tom Jenkins
They head across Putney Bridge
Photograph: Nick Ansell/PA
... and through Richmond Park
Photograph: Tim Ireland/PA
As the British cyclists approach Box Hill, Froome heads the peloton. Ahead of them a breakaway group of 12 riders have been allowed to open up a six minute gap
Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
On the fourth lap of Box Hill, the Italian Vincenzo Nibali and a handful of other riders decide to pursue the breakaway ... but still the Brits are sitting tight
Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
The route is lined with spectators ...
Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
... they'll be impressed by Phillipe Gilbert's sudden surge which has brought him level with the leaders. Way back in the peloton, Tony Martin of Germany (pictured) guides the riders around a hairpin bend
Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
Gilbert is setting the pace and the peloton can't seem to reduce the gap below a minute. The Brits will have to do something soon as they're running out of tarmac
Photograph: Jamie Squire/Getty Images
There's a grave danger that Cavendish and co won't catch the breakaway - the gap is still 50 seconds with 23km to go and they're getting no help at the front of the peloton ...
Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Imag
But when Fabian Cancellara, one of the strongest riders in the lead group, crashes into the barriers during a sharp right turn it gives hope that the leaders may yet be caught
Photograph: Graham Chadwick/NOPP
But those hopes are unfounded. Alexandr Vinokurov of Kazakhstan and Rigoberto Uran Uran of Columbia launch a two-man battle over the final kilometre
Photograph: Getty Images
... and Vinokurov wins gold!
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP
Cavendish comes home in a disappointing 29th (40 seconds behind the winner) hence the sour face
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP
It's a picturesque scene, even without Cavendish
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP
Though for the British fans gathered in the stands, this is not quite the sight they hoped they'd see
Photograph: Tom Jenkins/NOPP
The Guardian
Comments