TINY Isle of Man will be without one of their top medal hopes at next month’s Commonwealth Games after Mark Cavendish was forced out of the event.
The Manx Missile has been out of action since taking a nasty tumble at last Saturday’s Milan-San Remo race, one of the biggest one-day events on the calendar.
Cavendish has suffered some cringeworthy bashes over the last couple of months but the one in north west Italy was particularly nasty.
The 32-year-old collided with a bollard at high speed before flying over the handlebars and careering head over heels as he landed on his back.
He also had crashes at Tirreno-Adriatico and Tour of Dubai this year, ending a difficult few months for the bunch sprinting legend.
He said: “Although it’s ultimately positive news that there’s been no serious damage sustained following the crash, I am hugely disappointed to have to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games.
MOST READ IN SPORT
“I am immensely proud to represent the Isle of Man and was looking forward to a successful Games with the team.
“However, unfortunately it’s just come a little too soon in my recovery.”
Cavendish, who has 30 individual stage wins on the Tour de France, put no time frame on his return as he hopes to ride for Team Dimension Data in the race in July.
BOURNE WINNER Hamilton lays down marker for title defence after storming practice sessions
He won gold in the 2006 Commonwealth Games in the scratch race but also supported fellow Manxman Peter Kennaugh in the 2014 road race after a shoulder injury in the opening stage of the Tour that year.
He added: “I’ll now be working tirelessly on my recovery and will be liaising closely with my team at Dimension Data before announcing a return to racing.
“I will be doing everything I can to get back as quickly as possible.”
Leave a comment