Mark Cavendish and Lizzie Armitstead head stellar fields for National Championships races
Mark Cavendish will battle the likes of Luke Rowe and Ben Swift at the National Championships on June 26, with Lizzie Armitstead set to defend her title in Stockton
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GYVVNWzeiiQ6t5feqxeQHN-415-80.jpg)
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).
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
How to watch the Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
Get all the information you need to watch the action of the men's and women's Olympic cycling time trial at Paris 2024
By Cat Glowinski Published
-
Ribble Cycles looking to capitalise on 'big summer of sport' with 30% off highly-rated models
Direct-to-consumer Ribble Cycles has always been rated highly among the Cycling Weekly tech team. This is our pick of the best Road, Gravel and E-bikes from their 'Summer Sale'
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
Tarling, Finucane, Pidcock and more: Eight British riders to watch out for at the Paris Olympics
The cycling events start this weekend, we’ve picked out a handful of riders to keep an eye on in the French capital this summer
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I've lived everyone’s dream': Mark Cavendish hints at snap retirement after last ever Tour de France stage
The Manx Missile is the 2024 Tour's lanterne rouge
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
'I'm so tired': Emotional Mark Cavendish thanks teammates after surviving Tour de France time cut
The Briton is just two days away from finishing the Tour de France for an eighth time
By Chris Marshall-Bell Published
-
Mark Cavendish makes time limit on stage 19 - and four other tales of riders who survived the Tour de France cut-off
Brit finishes with more than five minutes to spare on Isola 2000
By Tom Davidson Published
-
End of an era: Witnessing Mark Cavendish's last ever Tour de France sprint
The Astana Qazaqstan rider finished 17th in Nîmes in what is almost definitely his last ever sprint at the Tour. Cycling Weekly was there to see it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Mark Cavendish 'upset and angry' after being relegated for 'deviation' on Tour de France stage 12
The Astana-Qazaqstan rider originally finished fifth, before being relegated
By Adam Becket Published
-
Rod Ellingworth 'totally open' to Mark Cavendish making Tour of Britain appearance
'There will always be a place for Mark' says race director after Cavendish’s Tour de France record breaking triumph in Saint-Vulbas
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish says he has 'one' opportunity left to take another Tour de France stage win
The Manxman was left frustrated after finishing 18th on stage 10
By Adam Becket Published