Mark Cavendish has been omitted from Team Dimension Data’s line-up for the forthcoming Tour de France.

This means it will be the first time since 2006 that the Manx Missile hasn’t taken part in Le Tour.

Cav was 22nd in Sunday’s British National Road Race Championship elite men’s road race and was expected to be named in the line-up for the Grand Tour in a bid to add to his 30 career stage victories.

However, his place in the team has been taken by Italian sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo.

More in Thursday’s Manx Independent.