British duo receive Olympic boost

Cavendish is relying on the Giro for intensity training

British duo Bradley Wiggins and Mark Cavendish's Olympic preparations have been boosted after learning they can race in the Giro d'Italia in May.

The pair had been told their team, High Road, did not meet the selection criteria, but the tour's organisers, RCS Sport, have performed a U-turn.

It is a boost to Wiggins and Cavendish who intend to use the three-week event to prepare for the Beijing Olympics.

Fellow Briton Roger Hammond is also a member of team High Road.

Cavendish and Wiggins begin their road-racing season on Sunday 17 February when they compete in the eight-stage Tour of California, and will follow that with the Paris-Nice from 9 to 16 March.

The Giro d'Italia takes place in May and will provide crucial intensity training for the pair.