No fewer than four Manx or Isle of Man-based cyclists have been included in Great Britain’s team for the forthcoming UCI World Road Race Championships.

While there is no place for Mark Cavendish who has only just returned from a serious shoulder injury, the island is well represented in the shape of Mark Christian, Peter Kennaugh, Ian Stannard and Ben Swift who are all included in the squad for the elite men’s road race in Bergen, Norway on September 24.

Christian has enjoyed a fine first year with Irish team Aqua Blue Sport and has just completed his maiden Grand Tour at the Vuelta a Espana on Sunday.

Fellow Manxie Kennaugh, who will leave Team Sky to join BORA Hansgrohe at the end of the season, has produced strong rides this season at the Criterium du Dauphine, the Tour of California, Vuelta a Burgos and the British National Road Race Championships to name but a few.

His Sky team-mate and Castletown resident Ian Stannard played a key role in helping Chris Froome claim an historic Vuelta a Espana title at the weekend and has been rewarded with a place in the team for the championships.

As has Onchan’s Swift who has been a key figure for Team UAE Emirates this season, most notably at the Tour de France and the aforementioned Dauphine.

Froome and Stephen Cummings - who won the British champs on Manx soil in June - will lead the GB charge in the men’s time trial, while the local quartet will join Adam Blythe, Jon Dibben, Owain Doull, Tao Geoghegan Hart and Scott Thwaites in the men’s road race.