The Isle of Man will be well represented in the men’s and women’s Tour of Yorkshire races this week.

The four-stage men’s event begins in earnest today (Thursday), with the two-day women’s race being held on Friday and Saturday.

Once again, Team Drops duo Anna Christian and Lizzie Holden will fly the Manx flag in the latter race as part of a six-strong team alongside Abby-Mae Parkinson, Elinor Barker, Megan Barker and Eleanor Dickinson.

The island stars have both competed in the race previously, with Christian finishing a fine 12th overall in the 2017 edition.

Fresh from a good performance in the recent Tour of Turkey, Mark Cavendish will be eyeing up further success in the men’s race where he will likely go head-to-head with the likes of Marcel Kittel in the sprints.

Also lining up in the men’s race is Mark Christian who forms part of a seven-strong Team Wiggins Le Col outfit alongside Thomas Pidcock, Gabriel Cullaigh, Corentin Navarro, James Fouche, Samuel Jenner and Robert Scott.

The Manx rider has good pedigree in the Tour of Yorkshire, having finished an excellent seventh overall in the 2017 edition, 18th in 2016 and 22nd last year.