Mark Cavendish successfully completed the Amgen Tour of California in America last week.

The Team Dimension Data star - who celebrated his 33rd birthday yesterday (Monday) - came through the seven-stage race unscathed as he continues to make his comeback from successive injuries which have blighted his 2018 season so far.

Cav kicked off the race with a fine 10th-place finish on the opening stage in Long Beach and then followed it up with 113th, 90th, 72nd in the time trial, 35th, 98th and 45th to finish 98th overall on general classification. He also ended the race 43rd in the points class.

Castletown resident Ian Stannard also delivered a consistent series of results and claimed 81st overall.

In the women’s Tour of California, which took place over three stages, Anna Christian claimed a fine 27th overall when riding for Trek Drops alongside fellow Manxie and team-mate Lizzie Holden who clinched an excellent 10th place in the youth class.

Holden led the pair home on the opening stage in Elk Grove when crossing the line in 53rd place, with Christian a few seconds further back in 70th.

The following day it was Anna’s turn to claim a higher finishing position when she ended the queen stage in a good 27th, with Lizzie in 43rd. They followed this up with Holden 49th and Christian 66th in Sacramento on the final day to round off a successful few days for the pair.

Anna is now due to ride in the Internationale Lotto Thüringen Ladies Tour in Germany which starts next Monday, while it looks like Lizzie will be back in Britain in a few weeks’ time competing in the OVO Energy Women’s Tour.

Anna’s brother Mark is set for a return to action this week when he tackles the Baloise Belgium Tour which starts tomorrow (Wednesday).

The Aqua Blue Sport rider, who impressed in the recent Tour of Yorkshire, forms part of a seven-man team which will battle it out over five stages.