London 2012 Olympics "We couldn't do more": Disappointed Cavendish heaps ... - Mirror.co.uk

Mark Cavendish spoke immediately after his  disappointing finish in the Olympic road race this afternoon .

Cavendish and his Team GB teammates stuck together throughout the race and though they looked to push the pace at the head of the peloton, they couldn't bridge the gap to the breakaway pack, effectively ending British hopes of a Cavendish sprint victory.

Speaking to BBC Radio Five Live, Cavendish revealed his frustration at the lack of co-operation from other teams, who left it to the British quartet to do all the hard work out front.

"We rode the exact race we wanted to ride," he said.

"We expected teams to come and chase at the end with us.  We controlled it, the four guys, for 250 kilometers. We couldn't do more, we're only human beings.

"The Germans came a bit too late and the other teams seemed to be more content that 'they don't win as long as we don't win'

"That's kind of how it goes, but I'm proud of the way the lads rode today and I'm proud of my country, that was incredible support.

"The guys are sat there, they're spent.  They've got nothing left in the tank.  It's incredible to see what they gave for the cause.

"It just makes you wonder what's going on in other people's minds.  Cycling's an aggressive sport - you don't win unless you take it on. We can't talk for other people, but it's just a little bit frustrating.

"We had four of the strongest guys in the world controlling the peloton all day. I'm so, so proud of them.

"It's such a shame we couldn't finish it off."

He repeated his comments to BBC1, saying: "It seems like most teams are happy not to win as long as we don't win.

"It's the story of our lives in cycling. "It shows what a strong nation we are.

"We've got to take the positives from that and take it as a compliment."