Great Britain's Mark Cavendish fails to make any impression on the Men's Road Race in Box Hill. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday July 28, 2012. See PA story OLYMPICS Cycling Cycling. Photo credit should read: Adam Davy/PA Wire. EDITORIAL USE ONLY

The pre-Olympics favourite come in in 26th

Beaten sprint star Mark Cavendish paid tribute to Kilburn boy Bradley Wiggins and the rest of the Team GB cycling squad after his Olympic dreams were dashed in the 250km road race.

Kazakhstan’s Alexandr Vinokourov took the gold medal after a breakaway, meaning the Manx Missile goes another games without taking a gold.

“They’re incredible, I couldn’t be more proud of them, they’re absolutely spent. They’re still sat there in their kit in the tent just absolutely spent,” he said.

“We did everything, we can’t make any excuses. We did everything we said we were going to do and more. It’s incredible to see the guys with the calibre they have riding like that for me.”

“We haven’t got a medal but I’m completely proud of my team and completely proud of my country for the support we had.”

The Team GB riders were forced to set the pace at the head of the peloton, without support from other rides, meaning Cavendish finished in 29th.

“It just seems like the other teams are happy not to win as long as we don’t win,” a disappointed Cavendish added.

“It’s the story of our life in road cycling, it shows what a strong nation we are.

“You’ve got to take the positives from that and take it as a compliment, but it’s bitterly disappointing.”

“There were 70 guys in our group at the finish, but I don’t understand why there were only three guys riding, it doesn’t make sense.”