FEATURE - 'Cannonball Cavendish' aims for new heights

By Tom Pilcher

LONDON (Reuters) - Given the electrifying sprint finishes of British rider Mark Cavendish, it is little wonder he is nicknamed `Cannonball Cavendish' and the `Manx Express'.

After a barnstorming start to his career, where at only 24 he is already halfway to equalling Barry Hoban's British record of eight Tour de France stage wins, Cavendish is once again primed to light up this year's race, which starts on Saturday.

In 2008, Cavendish bagged four wins from 14 stages before being hauled out of the race to focus on the Beijing Olympics.

This year, Cavendish hopes his rivals will have to put up with him for the entire three-week race, as he said last month his goal was to make it to the finish on the Champs Elysees.

With two world championship wins on the track in the Madison (2005 and 2008), plus this year equalling Chris Boardman's British record of 41 major career wins, it is easy to see why the Manxman has been touted as the world's fastest road cyclist.

Despite his dazzling form however, Cavendish stays true to his Manx roots.

"I'm not in it to be in Rolling Stone magazine or to be wealthy," he told Reuters last month at an event organised by his team Columbia High Road and the charity Right to Play.

"They might come as a result. But I want to be remembered for what I've achieved as a cyclist."