Injury forces Cavendish out of Games

Mark Cavendish, the 30-times Tour de France stage winner, has withdrawn from next month’s Commonwealth Games following a crash at Milansan Remo last weekend.

The 32-year-old was due to represent the Isle of Man on the Gold Coast but, after sustaining a broken rib and a damaged ankle, has adjusted his race schedule and will no longer be travelling to Australia. Cavendish 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.”

No time frame has been given for his return, with the Tour de France, which begins on 7 July, his major target for the year.

Cavendish won scratch race gold at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, before embarking on his scintillating road career, which also yielded the 2011 road race world title.