The road races on Sunday August 3 will see a host of stars from the top-tier of the professional game tackle the punchy route on which Mark Cavendish and Lizzie Armitstead were crowned British champions in 2013.
The Manxman’s injury, sustained on stage one of the Tour de France, means he will not be competing, so compatriot and recently-crowned British champion Peter Kennaugh will lead the Manx charge.
He will face stiff opposition from Team Sky team-mate Geraint Thomas (Wales) though, who will enjoy the backing of fellow Sky man Luke Rowe.
Ian Stannard (England) will be keen to prove his form in the absence of Sir Bradley Wiggins, with Steve Cummings, like Stannard, named in the English squad after missing the Tour de France through injury.
British domestic rider Tobyn Horton (Guernsey), of Madison-Genesis, is also set for the start line while Scotland boast the talents of WorldTour aces David Millar and Andy Fenn, alongside Team Raleigh’s Evan Oliphant.
Outside of the British isles, Canada have national champion Svein Tuft in their squad, while Australia will hope the likes of Simon Clarke, Rohan Dennis and Nathan Haas can set up a sprint finish for Mark Renshaw.
New Zealand’s Jack Bauer proved he is a man to be reckoned with on stage 15 of the Tour de France, meanwhile, and other familiar faces on the start line will include his compatriots Mike Northey, the national champion, and, if he recovers from his Tour de France injury, Greg Henderson.
In the women’s race meanwhile, Lizzie Armitstead (England), who won silver four years ago, and Delhi bronze medallist Chloe Hosking (Australia) will compete against the likes of Linda Villumsen (New Zealand).
Olympic silver medallist Armitstead, who leads the women’s road world cup series, will enjoy the backing of in-form Emma Pooley and British national champion Laura Trott.
Hosking will be bidding to repeat Australia’s success of four years ago, when she led Rochelle Gilmore to victory.
Her team-mates include Specialized-Lululemon’s Tiffany Cromwell and Melissa Hoskins, who will compete on track and road at the Games.
Sunday August 3: cycling schedule
08:00-17:00
Men and women’s road race
Brits to watch
Peter Kennaugh (Isle of Man) – In Mark Cavendish’s absence, Peter Kennaugh will lead the Manx charge at the Commonwealth Games. The newly-crowned British champion was a surprise omission from Team Sky’s Tour de France squad and has gone on to win the Tour of Austria after leading from start to finish. His form is clearly not a problem, and unburdened by any post-Tour de France fatigue he has a great chance of adding Commonwealth Games gold to a fine season.
