Sir Bradley Wiggins to miss Stafford Grand Prix

Sir Bradley Wiggins has withdrawn from the Stafford Grand Prix, which takes place this Friday evening (July 3) in the West Midlands town.

The former Team Sky man had been confirmed earlier this week (opens in new tab) in his new team's line-up for the second round of the British Cycling Elite Circuit Series.

Wiggins had been due to return to the road for the first time since breaking the UCI Hour Record on June 7 (opens in new tab).

However, it emerged during the morning of the event that he will not be taking the start line, with a "slight illness" being cited as the reason for his withdrawal.

>>>Wiggins’s £6000 Hour Record chain (video) (opens in new tab)

While the 2012 Tour de France winner will now be absent, visitors to the West Midlands should still be treated to a feast of top-level cycling, with under-23 national time trial champion Scott Davies and up-and-coming all-rounder Germain Burton among the confirmed competitors.

But Dan McLay and Chris Latham, who finished first and second at the season-opening Otley Grand Prix (opens in new tab), are also missing the race, leaving third-placed Jon Mould (One Pro Cycling) in prime position to climb the overall standings.

Racing starts at 8.30pm and will involve riders completing 50 minutes plus five laps.