Mark Cavendish on his way to New Delhi

After so many star pullouts, Commonwealth Games organisers have some reason to smile as Mark Cavendish confirmed his participation for the road-race event on October 10. “Delhi is on the way home, though, so it all fits in and I’ll do the road-race at the Commonwealth Games,” Cavendish said.

The ace cyclist will represent Isle of Man at the Games and said it would give him extra motivation. “There’s a great group of guys riding for the Isle of Man and it’s not often you get to ride in that jersey. I’m looking forward to that.”

Cavendish took a gold in the men’s track cycling scratch event in the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne 2006, one of two medals won by the Isle of Man that year in the Games - the other was a bronze in skeet shooting. Cavendish’s gold was the Isle of Man’s first in the Games in 20 years.