Racing

Tour de France stage winner Steve Cummings set for Rio 2016 after late call-up

Brit replaces Peter Kennaugh in Great Britain's quintet for men's road race in Brazil

Tour de France stage winner Steve Cummings will ride for Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after all, following the withdrawal of Team Sky’s Peter Kennaugh.

Two-time national champion Kennaugh, a gold medallist on the track in 2012, was set to ride as part of the five-man British team for the men’s road race in Rio but took the decision to withdraw after struggling for form on his comeback from a broken collarbone.

It means Cummings – who had appealed his original non-selection – will ride instead, looking to continue the form which has brought him four WorldTour stage wins in 2016.

Steve Cummings has bagged for WorldTour stage wins so far in 2016 (pic: Sirotti)

Team Sky duo Geraint Thomas and Chris Froome, the current maillot jaune at the Tour de France, lead the team with the latter – a bronze medallist against the clock four years ago – also set for the time trial.

Fellow Team Sky man Ian Stannard is also selected, alongside Orica-BikeExchange rider Adam Yates – who is currently third overall at the Tour de France and in possession of the white jersey of best young rider.

Men’s road race coach Rod Ellingworth, who was at the helm when Mark Cavendish won the men’s world road race in 2011, is confident of a competitive ride in Rio.

He said: “As always when selecting a team for a road race, the ideal situation is to leave the decision as late as possible as it’s difficult to predict riders’ form and health so far out.

“Since the selection panel made the original decision, there’s been 38 days of WorldTour racing, during which time we’ve had some excellent results from the British Cycling squad – for example, we’ve had British riders wear the yellow, green and white jerseys at the Tour de France.

“I’m confident that with this team, Team GB can be competitive at the men’s road race in Rio.”

Steve Cummings will ride for Great Britain at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in the men’s road race (pic: Sirotti)

Cummings, 35, a silver medallist in the team pursuit at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, raced the men’s road race in Beijing 2008 but was not selected for London four years ago.

He said of his selection: “I’ve shown over the 2016 season to date that I am in great shape and I look forward to going to Rio to represent my country and hopefully we as a team come back with a medal from the road race.”