There's a big blow to the Isle of Man's bid for cycling glory at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in October.

Mark Cavendish has categorically ruled himself out of racing for the Island.

The news maybe comes as no great surprise, given his presence at the World Road-Race Championships just prior to the Commonwealths, but this is the first time the 'Manx Missile' has come out and said he definitely won't be pulling on the three legs jersey.

Speaking at Columbia-HTC's media launch for the new season he said: 'I made the mistake of putting national pride ahead of my career in the 2008 Olympics and I'm not going to do that again.'

Isle of Man cycling team manager Gary Hinds says it's disappointing to find out this way but he remains hopeful Cavendish could yet change his mind.