Omega Pharma - Quick-Step Cycling Team communicates that Mark Cavendish will not take the start at the British National Road Championship on Sunday.
The current British Champion is busy with a bout of bronchitis that began during the last stages of the Tour de Suisse. As a precautional measure, Mark will not participate on Sunday and will continue training in Italy prior to the Tour de France.
"I'm sad because, as current champion, I would really like to defend the title," Cavendish said. "I would have liked to honor the race and this jersey that I wore for all of 2014 so far, which allowed me to represent my country proudly. I think it's wiser, however, to not take any risks and focus on absolute, 100 percent recovery, and continue to train in function of the Tour de France. I talked with the race organizers and they understood my situation perfectly. I wish them well, and also wish good luck to all riders at the race on Sunday trying to fight for this jersey I've been so proud to wear."