Mark Cavendish helps out London cyclist - by fixing puncture

Former road world champion Mark Cavendish has a couple of new fans in north east London today - after coming to the help of a cyclist who had punctured and fixing it for her.

The Dimension Data rider, fresh from winning last week's Tour of Qatar, performed the impromptu service at Tottenham Hale, according to a tweet this lunchtime by Zahrfa Damji.

Wow. Spotted @MarkCavendish helping a young female cyclist with a puncture in Tottenham Hale. What a lovely man! pic.twitter.com/6dvmodFfmE

— Zahra Damji (@zahradamji) February 14, 2016

The cyclist, Fran Cutts, who is training for a John O'Groats to Land's End ride for Sport Relief later this month,  described Cavendish as "an absolute hero."

@zahradamji @MarkCavendish He's an absolute hero, was struggling with cold hands to get the tyre back on. Even offered me a lift, thank you!

— Fran Cutts (@FrancescaCutts) February 14, 2016

She admitted, though, that she hadn't realised at the time that it was Cavendish, whom she said was "just driving past with his wife and jumped out to the rescue!"

His wife, Peta, also joined in the conversation on Twitter.

You were doing better than I could have dreamed of... If have to have abandoned the bike. X https://t.co/NEJyhyRyse

— Peta Cavendish (@petatodd) February 14, 2016

The couple were only reunited this weekend after Cavendish spent five weeks away on the road, and she added:

Well my Valentine's Day is just swell so far...& my husband even fitted in a good deed for a damsel in distress!

— Peta Cavendish (@petatodd) February 14, 2016