The 2008 Olympic Games for Bradley Wiggins and British cycle sport were, on the whole, a success. But there is one rider in particular who has entirely different memories of the Beijing velodrome – Mark Cavendish. Defending world champions in the Madison, Cavendish and Wiggins were favourites for the gold medal in the discipline. Wiggins already had two to his name, in the team pursuit and individual pursuit, by that point.

But with his crowning achievements already sorted, Wiggins’ performance and interest appeared to wane. Cavendish has spoken of being disappointed and let-down and their struggle to ninth place left the Manxman as the only member of the team not to win an Olympic medal. The duo did not speak for months afterwards.