Professional Cycling For the Fans - Cavendish in Road WC stripes on the velodrome this weekend

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6223/6366553623_eeae98e91a_z.jpg

Cavendish racing the Revolution (http://www.cyclingrevolution.com/event_round2.php) series.

Any thoughts as to why?

Extra Cash?
Tune up for Track Worlds?
Tune up for Olympic Track Racing?


I don't really keep up with the interviews and such. Maybe this has already been discussed or explained.

Back Story: He and Wiggins won the Track World Championship Madison in 2008. But, finished 8th in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Cavendish was the only British track cyclist not to win a medal at all at the event. Maybe he wants a second try?

Also, how often does a reigning road world champion race on the track? Is this common?

Yeah, that seems weird. The TT world champ doesn't get to cross disciplines and wear his stripes in road races, so I don't see why Cav gets to, unless this photo was from a training session or something.

It also makes me wonder when riders are officially "fired" from their old team and required to start wearing their new team's kit...

Yeah, that seems weird. The TT world champ doesn't get to cross disciplines and wear his stripes in road races, so I don't see why Cav gets to, unless this photo was from a training session or something.

The Revolution Series is more of a festival than an official UCI event. Simply put, it's a show for the fans and a workout and extra cash for the racers. So, having the world road champion in the field (wearing his WC jersey, no less) helped sell out the house.

EDIT:
For example: Mark Cavendish offers track fans all the colours of a world champion (http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/nov/19/mark-cavendish-manchester-cycling?CMP=twt_gu)


It is 45 years since a British professional world road race champion has been seen competing on these shores, and Mark Cavendish ended the long drought since the days of Tom Simpson when he raced here in the fabled rainbow stripes at the Revolution Meeting.

I thought it was interesting from the POV that track isn't as big of a money-maker for guys on his level, so why bother? Especially if it could be contrary to his winter training program. I personally think he wants an Olympic gold medal.




It also makes me wonder when riders are officially "fired" from their old team and required to start wearing their new team's kit...

Pro road racers must wear the kit of their current year's team until January 1, when they can wear the kit of their new team. It's a weird rule, but if you look at the rider as rolling ad space (which he is) then it makes sense that it would be unfair to the advertisers to pay for a year's worth of advertising and only get 7 or 8 month's worth.

I personally think Cav wants an Olympic gold medal.

Taylor Phinney was training on the velodrome recently, too. His coach tweeted a photo of Phinney training for the individual pursuit which is no longer an individual Olympic event, but is part of the 6-event International Omnium (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omnium) event in which Phinney would be a favorite.

cavendish's bike skills come from the velodrome, so his trainners might want to keep that sharp durring the winter by racing in a velodrome.

He likes winning, he won.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8PM-UlkRe0&feature=player_detailpage#t=28s

cav is still using some highroad stuff because they have not gotten his 2012 sky kit yet i believe

for fun?