Cavendish, the winner of 15 Tour de France stages in three seasons, was among a number of cyclists who found the going tough as temperatures out on the streets of Delhi rose to 42 degrees.

The Manx Missile, who was deprived of the vital services of Isle of Man Team Sky duo Peter and Tim Kennaugh who boycotted the Games over health and safety fears, never threatened to produce one of his trademark sprints over the gruelling 168 kilometres course to trouble the likes of Davis as he finished 59 seconds behind the race winner.

In the end, Davis proved the fastest sprinter in the pack as he produced a phenomenal burst of speed in the closing stages to take the gold medal just ahead of New Zealand’s Hayden Roulston.

Meanwhile Scotland’s David Millar, one of Cavendish’s team-mates at the UCI Road Championships in Australia last week, impressed to come home in third for a bronze medal.

Cavendish fought a valiant lone battle riding alongside an inexperienced team, who tried their best to support him, but still cut a forlorn figure as he crossed the line.

Cavendish has also been making headlines across Delhi this week with his outspoken comments.

The 25-year-old had hit out at the absent members of his Isle of Man team - notably Peter and Tim Kennaugh – for not coming to Delhi and also claimed he has not been offered the contract he wants by his American-based HTC-Columbia team prompting speculation over a possible move to British-based Team Sky.

However, Cavendish’s thoughts were on Delhi as he crossed the line and despite his fighting a lone battle for the majority of the race and being a marked man by a number of the other team he praised his Isle of Man team.

“I went so deep and gave everything I could and although I let them down with the result I couldn’t have done anymore,” said Cavendish.

“The Isle of Man mixed it with the big boys.

“I had five amateurs with me and they rode like my professional team.

“I was so proud of those guys, they did everything for me and we got beaten by stronger nations.”

Cavendish also lauded Millar’s efforts after his Scottish friend claimed a podium spot

He said: “David was incredibly strong, I’m just sorry that I didn’t have the legs to stay with him.”

Miller said: “I attacked so many times that I was exhausted by the last 300 metres.

“I knew I was going to get beaten in a sprint so I tried to get away on my own but I just couldn’t. I’m happy with bronze.

“I came to get gold in the time trial (next Wednesday) so this is just a great bonus. I’m pretty happy with what I got.

“It’s just a great honour to race for Scotland and I've got a big thank you to them for believing in me.”

Earlier in the day, England’s Lizzie Armitstead took silver in the 112km women’s road race as Australia’s Rochelle Gilmore won gold and her compatriot Chloe Hosking took bronze.

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