ESSEX cyclist Alex Dowsett insists a totally selfless approach is required in order for Mark Cavendish to clinch gold at this summer’s Olympic Games in London.

World champion Cavendish can win Great Britain’s first gold of the Games, a day after the Opening Ceremony, at the 250-kilometre road race which consists on nine ascents of Box Hill in Surrey.

Cavendish and his team-mate Bradley Wiggins will also compete in the Tour de France a week earlier, while Dowsett is hoping to be the second Briton in the Hampton Court race against the clock.

“We have to be totally selfless in our mission to win this medal,” British time-trial champion Dowsett said.

“Everyone wants Cav to come away with the gold medal because, although it will be him standing on the podium, we will all feel we’ve been part of that gold medal ride.”