Having finished second in the individual pursuit, seventh in the elimination race, sixth in the time trial and third in the flying lap, Cavendish was in good position going into the points race, the final of the sixth cycling disciplines in the omnium. Mark was second overall, with Frenchman in third place and Italian rider Viviani in first.

Cavendish was unlucky not to have an Olympic medal to his name already coming into the race. Previous efforts on the road were scuppered by rival teams ganging up to deny Cav in the road race and a tired Bradley Wiggins was unable to partner Mark to success in London on the track.

After what has been an outstanding year for Cavendish already, who checked another box on the bucket list when he wore the yellow jersey in the Tour de France last month, an Olympic silver will only add further to the Manxman’s signature grin. Particularly given that many thought the rider, a road specialist, shouldn’t have been picked for the track at all.