Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Cycling Team

 

3rd of February, 2006; >Home Nations for Commonwealth Games

 

It may only be a small Island but by heck the Isle of Man sure can turn out some good riders and the best of them will be heading for Melbourne and the Commonwealth Games in 2006. Leading them will no less than a World Champion in Mark Cavendish. It's the first time the Island has been able to send a reigning World Champion to the Games and Cav is sure to go into the races on Road and Track there as one of the favourites.

Joining him will be GB Olympic Development rider Jonathan Bellis (track), Andrew Cook (road and TT), Graeme Hatcher (road and TT), Mark Kelly (track and road) and Andrew Roche (mountain bike, road and TT) .

Talking to Mark Cavendish as he sat at home in Manchester trying to recover from a cold that he got in the Gent Six Day, he explained that the Commonwealth Games will be the biggest event he has done for the Isle of Man. In the past he has done the Island Games and rode for a Junior Isle of Man team but the Commonwealth's gives him a new stage to perform on as a stepping stone to the Olympics.

He admits he is going to feel like the odd one out in races seeing most of his GB team mates in the England, Welsh and Scottish teams but he doesn't feel it will do his chances of winning medals any harm having the backing of both GB in training and the people and riders in the Isle of Man team.

 

"They have been really good to me while my career has been progressing over the years so it's the right thing to do and my way of giving something back to them all. I hope to give them their first cycling medal since the 60's (Peter Buckley)"

 

RIDERS

Mark Cavendish
Jonathon Bellis
Andrew Cook
Graeme Hatcher
Mark Kelly
Andrew Roche