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Thomas expects Cavendish to make Team Sky move

Mark Cavendish won the road race on Sunday © PA Photos

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Team Sky rider Geraint Thomas is 'pretty sure' Mark Cavendish will join the team after helping the Manx rider to victory in the Cycling World Championships at the weekend.

Thomas was part of the strong British team that led out Cavendish for much of Sunday's road race, setting him up perfectly for a speciality sprint finish that enabled him to claim a historic gold.

The 26-year-old is currently deciding on a new team for next season - after current outfit HTC-Highroad announced their intention to disband - and Thomas is confident he will end up at Team Sky, as has been heavily rumoured.

"He's obviously been talking to them [Team Sky]," Thomas said. "He wants to come, I think - I'm pretty sure of it. Most of us there yesterday are in Sky and good mates of Cav.

"To be leading out the world champion next year would be really special. I don't think he really needs telling how good it'd be."

Thomas will get no recognition in the history books for the part he played in helping Cavendish to the top of the world, but insists that doesn't detract from a breathtaking team performance.

"It was the perfect day, really," he said. "It's the most historic win so far that I've been a part of. I read this morning it was 46 years since we last won the worlds.

"We were just so strong as a unit and I think [the win] really showed how far we've come. Even three years ago, we wouldn't have been able to put a strong [team of] eight riders in, let alone ride the way we did. And for Cav to finish it off like he did was just amazing."

The victory in Copenhagen added to an already great year, after Cavendish also won the green jersey at this year's Tour de France.

"He also won the Milan-San Remo, which is the biggest sprinter classic. He's one of the best sprinters - if not the best - ever," Thomas opined.

David Millar, the team leader on Sunday, added his own brand of praise for Cavendish - who he roomed with throughout the week.

"What can you say about Cav? He's a funny little bastard," Millar noted. "We've watched every race together in our room and every time we've watched a finish he's been off his bed, shouting: 'I promise I'm going to win on Sunday'."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.