Manx Missile could be on for the first red, white and blue jersey of his road career
Mark Cavendish (HTC-Highroad) is confirmed as a starter in this month’s British national championships, according to the race organiser. The race will take place on what should be a tough circuit based on the village of Stamfordham, Northumuberland, in the north east of England.
Despite all his numerous victories in recent years, Cavendish has not yet won the British road title.
The 2011 British championships are organised in conjunction with the Northern Rock Cyclone cyclosportive, which is one of the biggest of its kind in the UK. Also to be held that weekend are the Leazes Critérium races, which Cavendish is also due to ride.
Although Cavendish is undoubtedly the fastest sprinter in the UK, he may find that the hilly course is too much for him, particularly as he will be riding without teammates. As the only British rider on the HTC team, he will find himself alone up against a number of strong teams; particularly Sky, which dominated last year’s race, taking all three places on the podium when Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh and Ian Stannard escaped in the latter stages.
Cavendish sat out the hilly course last year, but finished sixth in the 2009 race and fifth in 2008.