Mark Cavendish's Team Sky move will help GB - Brailsford

Brailsford received a CBE in 2009 following the success of British Olympic cycling

Mark Cavendish's move to Team Sky will help Britain's chances at the 2012 Olympics, according to national performance director Dave Brailsford.

The Welshman is also general manager of Team Sky and he hopes his position can help in the quest for medals.

"The end of the Tour de France is very, very close to the road race in the London 2012 Games," said Brailsford.

"So allowing Mark to have the right race programme, he can be at absolute peak condition for the Games."

Isle of Man rider Cavendish's move to Team Sky was expected by many but Brailsford admits that the 'Manx Missile's' excellent 2011 season made negotiations harder.

"He's becoming a legend in our sport now at such a young age and obviously he's had a phenomenal year and that always makes things more difficult," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Most teams would like to have Mark in their team and we were no different but we had an advantage because he's worked with us since he was a young lad, he knows us well, he knows a lot of the riders in Team Sky very well and he races with them.

"I think, from a performance perspective it was the best choice for him."

Another Team Sky rider, Geraint Thomas, has hinted he may miss the Tour de France to concentrate on the Olympics, but Brailsford believes he can help GB riders compete in both.

"The advantage it gives me is that I can manage the riders' race programmes," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

"Which means they can be at their optimum when they are on GB duty.

"That's a huge advantage which normally doesn't happen for a national team manager, so it's absolutely fantastic."