Mark Cavendish throwing everything at winning spot for Rio 2016

Cavendish started out as a track cyclist, and has twice been crowned world champion in the Madison - albeit back in 2005 and 2008.

He also claimed gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games, but has yet to claim a medal at the Olympics despite having won 44 Grand Tour stages since moving to road racing.

On Tuesday the 30-year-old confirmed that he will ride for the newly-renamed Team Dimension Data (formerly MTN-Qhubeka) for the next three years, and while he will not talk yet about leaving Etixx Quickstep it's clear that he is at least in part hoping the switch could boost his Olympic ambitions.

"An Olympic medal is the only thing I’m missing," he told the Daily Telegraph.

I’m 30 years old. I want these challenges. The last few years I’ve been doing the same stuff."

Cavendish admitted that he is so desperate to take part that he would have do anything to make the Team GB squad, "even if it meant doing synchronised swimming".

It won't come to that, however: the Omnium is his most likely event - but he will have to unseat Ed Clancy, the two-time Olympic team pursuit gold medallist, and Omnium bronze winner in 2012.

The newly-tweaked Omnium format should play to Cavendish's strengths by emphasising the final points race, however, and with Clancy more-or-less guaranteed a place in the team pursuit squad it opens the door for the team selectors to keep both riders happy.

"It’s no formality,” Cavendish added.

"That’s what people have to understand. Ed is a brilliant rider. I can’t just say: ‘I’m doing the Olympics.’ But at least the door is open...

"Look if it was the old Omnium, as it was at the last Olympics, Ed would be going, 100 per cent. The reason I’m even going for Rio is because of the points race. It really suits me."

Cavendish added that he and Clancy have an excellent relationship, with Clancy even helping his highly-paid prospective team-mate when they raced together in Derby recently (an event which Clancy won).

"Me and Ed speak all he time,” Cavendish explained.

"He actually helped me out in Derby. He could have got some extra points on me but he was brilliant. I’ve been straight with him and he’s been straight with me.

"I don’t want to get the ride because of my history in cycling or who I am or whatever. I don’t want any favours. I want to get it because I am the best man for the job.”