'Manx Missile' in third spot at half-way stage

Cavendish in bronze medal position

Mark Cavendish has started his third Olympic campaign in Rio in fine fashion.

In his third Olympics, Cavendish last night (Sunday) began cycling’s version of the heptathlon finishing sixth in the 15 kilometre scratch race followed by a second place in the four kilometre individual pursuit and seventh spot in the elimination event.

It means he is lying in the bronze medal position at the half-way stage of the event – 10 points off the pace.

The individual pursuit saw his best performance of the night.

Today (Monday), he will complete the final three races of the omnium with the one kilometre time trial, a 200-metres flying lap before the 40 kilometre points race.

Meanwhile, Jessica Draskau-Petersson, who has dual Manx and Danish nationality, was 40^th out of 133 finishers in the women’s Olympic Games marathon.