Cycling superstar Mark Cavendish has been forced to pull out of the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Australia because of the injuries sustained in a crash at last week’s Milan San Remo race.

Manx supporters’ worst fears were confirmed on Friday afternoon when Cav’s Team Dimension Data released the following statement from the Laxey man: ’Although it’s ultimately positive news that there’s been no serious damage sustained following the crash I am hugely disappointed to have to withdraw from the Commonwealth Games.

’I am immensely proud to represent the Isle of Man and was looking forward to a successful Games with the team. However, unfortunately it’s just come a little too soon in my recovery.

I’ would like to thank Andrew Roche and the whole team for their amazing support and wish them all the very best, and I’ll be proudly supporting them from home.

’I’ll now be working tirelessly on my recovery and will be liaising closely with my team at Dimension Data before announcing a return to racing.

’Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for the huge amount of support and well wishes I’ve received following the crash last weekend. I will be doing everything I can to get back as quickly as possible.’