David Millar, Sir Bradley Wiggins, Peter Kennaugh, Steve Cummings, Andy Fenn, Josh Edmondson, Luke Rowe, Adam Yates, Scott Thwaites, Ian Stannard, Alex Dowsett.

A formidable squad in its own right, the list of British riders not set for the Tour de France start line in Leeds is remarkable, despite Orica-GreenEDGE naming Simon Yates in their nine-man squad today.

Not even County Donegal’s Philip Deignan or Birmingham-born Irishman Dan Martin have made the cut, despite Britain welcoming cycling’s greatest race to Yorkshire on Saturday July 5.

Millar’s shock omission from the Garmin-Sharp squad, with the team citing illness despite the Scot’s insistence he would be ready, followed hot on the heels of Dowsett missing the Movistar cut.

With Cummings and Stannard both injured, Thwaites narrowly missing out with Team NetApp-Endura and Team Sky opting to field just two Brits – their lowest tally since forming in 2010 – it is a big blow for British Cycling.

Welcome to Yorkshire’s coup in bagging the Tour de France Grand Depart was widely lauded, and it will be a hugely spectacular sporting occasion over the weekend.

Yates’ surprise inclusion, in his neo pro year, has given a big boost to British fans and the big names – Cavendish (Omega Pharma-Quickstep) and defending champion Chris Froome (Team Sky) – will still be there, as will in-form Geraint Thomas (Team Sky).

But teams have ruthlessly opted against sentimental picks, leaving a host of Brits pondering their next moves.

Read our detailed analysis over the following pages.