Cavendish withdraws from Worlds

ROAD CYCLING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Venue: Mendrisio, Switzerland Dates: 23-27 September
Coverage:Watch live on the red button and BBC Sport website (UK only)

Cavendish won six stages of this year's Tour de France

Mark Cavendish has withdrawn from the Road Cycling World Championships road race with a respiratory infection.

Cavendish, who has 23 victories this season, has also been affected by a crash to fellow Manxman Jonny Bellis, which left him critically injured.

Cavendish, 24, had six stage wins in this year's Tour de France and also won the prestigious Milan-San Remo Classic.

But his condition forced him out of the Tour of Missouri this month, and his place goes to Ian Stannard.

Scot David Millar is set to lead the nine-man squad, which includes five riders who will compete for Team Sky in 2010 - Stephen Cummings, Russell Downing, Chris Froome, Geraint Thomas and Stannard - as well as Roger Hammond, Dan Lloyd and Ben Swift.

606: DEBATE

The men's road race team looks strong but (due to Wiggins not riding) with no one who you feel can really pose a big threat

Sparta

Millar, 32, underlined his strong current form with victory in a time trial stage of the Tour of Spain last Saturday.

Alejandro Valverde, the overall winner of the Tour of Spain, is one of the favourites for the world title, along with Italians Damiano Cunego and reigning champion Alessandro Ballan.

Australians Cadel Evans and Simon Gerrans - who will ride for GB's Team Sky next season - Luxembourg pair Andy Schleck and Kim Kirchen and Belgian Philippe Gilbert are also expected to be major contenders.

Elite men's road race: Stephen Cummings, Russ Downing, Chris Froome, Roger Hammond, Dan Lloyd, David Millar, Ian Stannard, Ben Swift, Geraint Thomas

Elite men's time trial: Chris Froome, Bradley Wiggins

Elite women's road race: Lizzie Armitstead, Katie Colclough, Nicole Cooke, Nikki Harris, Sharon Laws, Lucy Martin, Emma Pooley

Elite women's time trial: Wendy Houvenaghel, Emma Pooley

Under-23 men's road race: Mark Christian, Peter Kennaugh, Jonny McEvoy, Luke Rowe, Erick Rowsell

Under-23 men's time trial: Andy Fenn, Alex Dowsett