Mark Cavendish and Lizzie Armitstead head stellar fields for National Championships races

Mark Cavendish will look to enter the Tour de France as British champion after confirming he will be on the start line for the National Championships road race in Stockton-on-Tees on June 26.

The Dimension Data rider, who won the title in 2013, headlines a strong men’s lineup, which also includes the likes of Team Sky riders Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Ben Swift.

Defending champion Peter Kennaugh (Sky) will not be present due to a broken collarbone sustained in a crash at the Tour of California in May.

In the women’s race, Lizzie Armitstead (Boels Dolmans) will be back to defend the title she won in Lincoln 12 months ago, with competition from the likes of Wiggle-High5 riders Lucy Garner and Dani King, and the in-form Alice Barnes (Drops Cycling), who has won the Lincoln GP, London Nocturne and Stevenage Tour Series in recent weeks.

Alex Dowsett will attempt to clinch a fifth national time trial title in Stockton. British Cycling officially lists the Movistar rider alongside Stuart Dangerfield on four wins, although Dangerfield argues that his British Cycling Federation titles from 1995 and 96 should be counted in his tally.

In the women’s race, the returning Emma Pooley will look to win her fourth time trial title, with competition from reigning champion Hayley Simmonds (UnitedHealthcare), Molly Weaver (Liv-Plantur) and Dame Sarah Storey (Podium Ambition).