Mark Cavendish and Peter Kennaugh lead a world class field that will tackle this year’s HSBC UK British National Road Race Championships on home soil later this month.

British Cycling has confirmed that Manxmen Cav - should he recover from glandular fever in time -and Kennaugh will join an elite startlist which includes the likes of Lizzie Deignan (nee Armitstead), Alex Dowsett, Hannah Barnes and defending champion Adam Blythe for the 2017 event.

The men’s and women’s time trials take place on Thursday, June 22 ahead of the road races on Sunday, June 25. In the men’s road race, Blythe (Aqua Blue Sport) will aim to defend the 2016 title he won in Stockton-on-Tees but will face strong competition from former champions Cav (Dimension Data) and Kennaugh (Team Sky) who will be keen for glory on home turf.

Kennaugh will feature as one of a six-strong Team Sky squad, being joined by Jonathan Dibben, Owain Doull, Luke Rowe, Castletown resident Ian Stannard and Tao Geoghegan Hart who won the under-23 men’s title in last year. Former u23 champion Scott Thwaites (Dimension Data) and 2016 bronze medallist Andrew Fenn will also be in contention alongside UAE Team Emirates’ Onchan resident Ben Swift.

In the women’s road race, 2015 world road champion Deignan (Boels Dolmans) will be favourite to win her fourth national road title.

Her challengers will include defending champion Hannah Barnes (Canyon - SRM) and her sister Alice Barnes (Drops) - who is the current under-23 champion and was the silver medallist in 2016 - as well as Olympic track gold medallist Dani King (Cylance Pro Cycling) and local favourite Anna Christian (Drops).

Dowsett (Movistar) will attempt a record sixth British time trial title on June 22. He’ll face competition from 2016’s medallists James Gullen (JLT Condor) and Ryan Perry (Team Raleigh GAC), as well as former *-23 champion Sam Harrison (Team Wiggins) and the Team Sky duo of Doull and Stannard.

In the women’s time trial, Hayley Simmonds (Team WNT) will go for her third consecutive title but she will need to overcome former junior time trial world champion and Olympic team pursuit champion Elinor Barker (Matrix Pro Cycling), Olympic team pursuit champion Katie Archibald (Team WNT) and 2016 road race champion Hannah Barnes (Canyon-SRM) if she is to retain her title.

Team Wiggins’ Scott Davies will attempt to make it four successive national titles in the under-23 men’s competition. Riders also likely to be in contention include Matthew Gibson (JLT Condor), Charlie Tanfield (Brother NRG DriverPlan) and Geoghegan Hart.

Jonny Clay, British Cycling’s director of cycling, added: ’It’s fantastic to be able to announce a field of this quality for the 2017 HSBC UK | National Road Championships.

’The calibre of the riders who will be taking to the start line speaks volumes for both the health of road racing in Great Britain and the draw of a championships taking place in such an iconic venue which is synonymous with our sport.

’We are sure that cycling fans will share in our excitement and turn out in huge numbers to help make this a truly memorable championships.’

Laurence Skelly MHK, Minister for the Isle of Man Department of Economic Development, commented: ’It’s fantastic to see our home-grown cycling heroes returning to the island’s shores this year and I’m delighted that cycling fans will be able to see international athletes take to our famous TT course.

’Riders and fans alike are sure of a warm Manx welcome this June.’

For full details of the championships and the courses visit nationalroadchamps.co.uk