With just under four months to go before the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games begin, we take a look at the cyclists who are in the running to represent the Island in track, road racing, mountain bike, and time-trial events.
Aside from the athletes themselves and the work by the Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association (IOMCGA), the Isle of Man Cycling Association (IOMCA) are gearing up for the final stages in the selection process with the final selection taking place at the end of April. As you can see from the list of contenders below, the Isle of Man has a wealth of talent available for selection.
Here is the Isle of Man Cycling Association’s list of the riders who are in the running for selection for Glasgow 2014:
• Mark Cavendish MBE. World Road Race Champion in 2011, winner of the Tour de France points jersey in the same year, and with a total of 25 Tour de France stage wins to list but a few of his many achievements. He won Commonwealth Games gold in 2006, and is a double World Track Champion. Due to his race schedule Cavendish is only expected to be considered for selection in the Glasgow 2014 road race despite his experience on road and track.
• Peter Kennaugh MBE. Gold medallist with Team GB in the team pursuit at the London 2012 Olympics. Made his Tour de France debut in 2013 and helped his Team Sky team mate Chris Froome win the Tour. Due to his race schedule Kennaugh is only expected to be considered for selection in the Glasgow 2014 road race despite his experience on road and track.
• Mark Christian. Professional rider for Team Raleigh, won a bronze medal on the track at Commonwealth Games in Delhi 2010. Christian has requested consideration for track, time trial and road events at Glasgow 2014.
• Andy Roche. Glasgow 2014 would be his seventh Commonwealth Games if he is selected. His greatest victory was winning the 1997 FBD Milk Ras Tour of Ireland. Roche is a contender for Glasgow 2014 selection in both the road race and time-trial.
• Jonny Bellis. A pro rider racing for the Christina Watches-Kuma powered by Dana team. He won bronze in the under-23 event at the 2007 World Road Race Championships. Seriously injured in a road accident in 2009, he has battled back to resume his racing ambitions. Bellis has met the consideration standards for the track events at Glasgow 2014.
• Anna Christian. 2013 Junior Women's British Road Race Champion. Anna is the sister of Team Raleigh pro cyclist Mark Christian. Anna has requested consideration for time trial and road events at Glasgow 2014.
• Laura Wasley. If she is selected for Glasgow 2014 it would be her Commonwealth Games debut. Wasley has requested consideration for time trial and road events.
• Elliot Baxter, former British U-23 Mountain Bike Champion and five times a winner of the Manx Telecom End2End MTB race, his last appearance at the Commonwealth Games was Manchester 2002 in mountain biking. Baxter has requested consideration for the road race and MTB.
• Joe Kelly. Claimed a bronze medal in the men's individual pursuit at the British National Track Championships 2013. He has requested consideration for time trial and road events.
• Tom Mazzone, rode in the 2011 Commonwealth Youth Games, and now races for the Terra Safety Shoes team. Mazzone has requested consideration for the Glasgow 2014 road race.
• Jake Kelly. Younger brother of Joe Kelly, in 2013 Jake won the British National Junior Road Race Series, and the junior category of the Isle of Man Youth Tour. Kelly has requested consideration for the road race.
Behind the athletes are a team of experienced and competent island based managers who will accompany the athletes to Glasgow. Gary Hinds is a keen cyclist and became Head of Performance during mid-1990s, his personal goal whilst in the role was to bring home a gold medal, which they did from Melbourne 2006. He has now passed the reigns over to Graeme Hatcher but will however continue to be part of the management team. Graeme is an experienced cyclist and is excited by the challenges his new role will bring. Mike Doyle is the team coach and an ex-professional cyclist. His first Commonwealth Games as coach was Melbourne 2006. Alex Jaffrey is the team mechanic.
Team Isle of Man’s Glasgow 2014 squad (for cyclists and all other sports) will be announced on May 8. The Isle of Man Commonwealth Games Association is the organisation responsible for the publicity, fundraising, travel, and support for Team Isle of Man’s participation at the Commonwealth Games. It is a registered charity (No.644) and relies upon fundraising events and donations to fund the team. Find out about fundraising initiatives planned in the countdown to Glasgow 2014 at www.cga.im where you can also make donations.
