CYCLING legend Mark Cavendish got behind the wheel to help out a team mate during yesterday's cycling time trial at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
Tour de France great Cav and assistant team manager Steve Partington both ended up driving cars to follow Manx riders.
The Isle of Man team said there had been a real issue with the availability of cars.
A statement from the Isle of Man team said: "Each rider had been guaranteed a following car and driver. The team would then provide a mechanic to sit in the passenger seat ready to jump out if the rider punctured or needed mechanical assistance.
"There were only enough cars to cover half the field and none of the first wave had finished by the time the second wave started.
"There were some 'heated words' among the team officials and the organisers before the cars started to return.
"There weren't enough drivers either so (assistant team manager) Steve Partington drove the car that followed Graeme Hatcher and none other than Mark Cavendish drove the car that followed Andrew Roche."
The 40km event took place on a 20km stretch of the Noida Expressway – a dual carriageway to the east of Delhi.
The afternoon temperature was topping 34C, but the strong wind blowing down the course was the cause of most of the pre-race discussion. The route consisted of a straight 20km with the wind at the rider's backs back followed by a headwind for the 20km return leg.
The Isle of Man riders complained of a complete lack of atmosphere for the event.
The statement added: "The route was totally lined with a two metre high security fencing and in keeping with other roads events there were armed guards every 100 metres or so.
"There were only two 'spectator areas' which consisted of yellow metal cages about 60 metres by 10 metres.
"They were sited behind the security fence and near areas of housing.
"Both were packed with children and adults, all with their finger through the wire and straining to see the riders pass."
Manx cyclist Andrew Roche who finished 12th said: "It was the worst possible course for me today - it suits the real power riders.
"The headwind was just hideous. Twelfth is good but I was hoping for a top 10 finish.
"It was the total opposite of the Melbourne time trial - no crowds and no atmopshere at all. You really miss the lift that a noisy crowd can give you."
Melbourne was the host city for the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
