Manx Tour de France star Mark Cavendish was attacked and held at knifepoint during a burglary at his Essex home at the end of last month.

The cycling star revealed his family’s ordeal in an Instagram post on Wednesday afternoon.

Cav was recovering from a crash suffered at a Belgian indoor race that resulted in two broken ribs and a collapsed lung when four masked assailants entered his Ongar home in the early hours of November 27.

Speaking about the ordeal, the Laxey man with 34 Tour de France stage victories to his name, said: ’In the early hours of November 27, while recovering at our Essex family home shortly after leaving Intensive Care, four masked and armed men forced their way into our home as we slept.

’They threatened my wife [Peta] and children and violently attacked me.

’At knifepoint, they proceeded to ransack our belongings.

’Amongst what was taken were two watches of great sentiment and value.

’But far, far worse to be taken was the sense of security, safety, privacy and dignity that my young family and everybody else is entitled to in their own home.

’The effect that this nightmare has had on my family is already heart-breakingly evident, so I beg anybody who may be able to help us with information to call the [police single non-emergency number] 101.’

Essex police believe it was a targeted attack.

Detective Inspector Tony Atkin, who is the senior investigating officer on the case, said: ’This was undoubtedly a targeted incident at the home of a celebrated British Olympian, who at the time was recovering from significant injuries resulting from a crash whilst competing, which was well publicised.

’Our investigation is moving along at pace and we are following a number of lines of inquiry as we seek to catch those responsible.

’Mr Cavendish and his wife were assaulted and threatened in their own home, in the presence of their young children, who witnessed these events. Thankfully, they are recovering, but the traumatic effect will be long standing.

’Today, we are releasing images of the people captured on CCTV fleeing the scene and we would urge anyone who recognises them to get in contact with us immediately.

’We are also releasing images of the suitcase and two watches which were stolen during the incident.

’It is likely the people who stole these items are attempting to offload them for sizeable sums of money and I would urge anyone who is being offered these items to please get in touch with us - they are stolen property. If you have been offered these items, please contact us immediately.’

’There will continue to be a visible policing presence in the area as our investigations progress in the coming days.’

Mr Cavendish added: ’No one should have to experience the sort of violence and threats made against us, let alone this happening in a family home - a place where everyone should feel safe.

’The items taken are simply material goods and our priority at the moment is to make sure we all recover from the incident as a family, and we know this is likely to take some time.’