Mark Cavendish revelled in representing the Isle of Man at the Commonwealth Games despite being shut out of the men’s road race.

A 15-strong breakaway slipped clear in the early stages of the 100-mile race in Warwick with the Manx Missile’s leadout train unable to bridge the gap.

Gold was won by Kiwi Aaron Gate, his fourth of the Games across track and road, with Scotland’s Finn Crockett taking bronze.

Cavendish said: “This is the biggest thing you can do for the Isle of Man.

“All those here are just my mates. Not just the cyclists, the men, the women, of every sport, all the officials, they’re all just mates.”

“To come in with that little group and know you have a realistic chance of winning, makes you dead proud of our little island."

Like Gate’s triumph the women’s race proved that good legs are good legs whether you’re racing in a velodrome or on the road.

Australian Georgia Baker added to her two track titles with victory in a bunch sprint and Scot Neah Evans took silver for her third medal overall.

England’s Anna Henderson was less than impressed with Aussie tactics.

"It was a rubbish race. The Australians had a boring race plan,” she said. “I thought we could have raced it better.”

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