Talent runs deep in GB cycling squad

Wolverhampton cyclist Andy Tennant believes a second-string Great Britain team pursuit quartet would win a medal at the London 2012 Olympics, such is the strength in depth at present.

Tennant, 25, is one of five members of the endurance squad along with Beijing gold medallists Ed Clancy and Geraint Thomas, and Steven Burke and Peter Kennaugh, bidding to defend Great Britain's Olympic title.

As world and Olympic champions and world record holders, and with home advantage, Great Britain will be favourites for gold in the London Velodrome, even if Australia will be looking to upset the apple cart.

Russia and New Zealand are no mugs either but with 2012 world scratch race champion Ben Swift, 2011 team pursuit bronze medallist Sam Harrison and three-time Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins all hypothetical members of Great Britain mark II, Tennant believes the pool of talent at the home nation's disposal is unprecedented.

"We are in one of the best teams, and it's almost harder to get selected for Team GB than it is competing and the pressure from all the other guys," said Tennant, who has won world gold, silver and bronze in the last three years.

"We have fantastic riders that haven't made it to the Olympics, that could quite easily be in other teams at the team pursuit and be one of their best riders, so it's good.

"The competition is massive. There are five riders and with the Olympic format there's a good chance with all five of us riding.

"If you were to try to get in a lot of other teams you would be one of their best riders. If you put another GB pursuit team in they would be pretty much up there.

"This will be no different to any other competition that we do, it's the same people we are competing against.

"At the end of the day it is a different title on the same bike race.

"It is something we do every day, it's our job and we are going to go out there and give it our best."

New restrictions from cycling's world governing body ensure that across the board, Team GB will not be as dominant as they were at Beijing 2008 with each nation limited to just one entrant per event.

Already the cycling squad has suffered disappointment with Mark Cavendish missing out in the road race – but Tennant believes the Manx Missile's four team-mates deserve enormous credit for attempting to force a sprint finish single-handedly.

"I think Cav's performance has been played down a lot in the press with people not really understanding it," he added.

"They did a fantastic performance and all credit to the guys, they worked their heart out for Cav and I think if he had been in position he would have won that bike race.

"Unfortunately there were 150 other bike riders who didn't want to take Cav to that finish because they know he would have won.

"Four people can influence a race but they can't control it.

"They did an amazing job and it was inspiring to see it and the great unity within the GB team."

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