Olympic silver medallist Mark Cavendish slams claims of feud between him and teammate Bradley Wiggins
OLYMPIC silver medallist Mark Cavendish has slammed claims of bad blood between him and teammate Sir Bradley Wiggins, admitting they're more like brothers than enemies.
Cav, 31, was accused of reigniting the 'feud' when he was caught on camera quipping reporters would be "straight on for Brad" after a delayed start to his post-race interview on Monday night.
But speaking on Lorraine today he claimed his relationship with Britain’s most decorated Olympian is "absolutely fine".
He explained: "I really have to watch what I say now because if I make a joke – I can’t. That’s what’s got me in trouble in the first place.
"It’s absolutely fine, maybe it was a slow news day and people wanted to start stuff but we’re absolutely fine.
"We bicker me and Brad, all the time. But that’s because we’re so close."
His wife Peta Todd added: "They’re like brothers."
His jibe at Wiggins wasn't the only controversy to mar Cav's silver medal win.
The Manxman narrowly escaped disqualification after causing Korea’s Sanghoon Park to crash.
His rival was carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.
On the collision, Cav told host Gaby Roslin: “I can't talk through what happened, it was a surprise to me as anyone else.
"It was my fault at the end of the day, it was a silly mistake, I wasn't paying attention, but I think any insinuation that something was done maliciously or you purposely crashed into another competitor, especially a competitor who wasn't in a contention for a medal and a friend of mine, someone I speak to it's not very nice you know.
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“Straight away after the race, as soon as I'd done all the media I could, I called Sanghoon's coach.
"I managed to get his number for the next day and we spoke and I feel terrible.
"I know what it's like to crash, it really ate me up that I caused pain and hurt to someone but unfortunately it is bike racing and it was fault on my part.”
Cav, who has claimed 30 stage victories in the Tour de France, didn't rule out competing in the Tokyo Olympic Games in four years time.
He said: "It's too early to say...it's kind of hard.
"I’m a professional road racer. Although it’s riding a bike, it’s not the same as what I’m doing. It’s quite a different thing."
Peta seemed more sure he'd be back hunting down the gold, adding: "Somebody asked me straight away afterwards, ‘do you think he'll be back for Tokyo?’
"And I said if you ask him right this second he would probably say no, but I would probably find us having this conversation in a few years time, going 'Okay yeah maybe we can be there' and I think with the support that’s kind of in British cycling and Team GB in general, it makes it very easy to think we can do this, we can get back on."
Speaking about celebrating his son Frey’s first birthday yesterday, Cav said: “He got a little bike didn't he - a little strider.
"I'd be proud to go out on a bike with him, that's kind of what I imagine when I finish my career, I can go out riding with my kids."