Mark Cavendish has been forced to withdraw from the Great Britain Cycling for the UCI Road World Championships in Richmond, USA, following a shoulder injury suffered during stage six of the Tour of Britain.

Cavendish, who became the first British rider since Tom Simpson to win the world championships road race in 2011, will require a longer period of recovery on his shoulder.

Great Britain Cycling Team, Technical director, Shane Sutton, said:

“It’s a real blow for Mark to have to pull out of this year’s race as we thought he had a great chance of being successful. Unfortunately the injury he sustained during last week’s Tour of Britain is more serious than we had hoped. We wish him well in his recovery.”

Adam Yates has also been added to the squad following the withdrawal of Geraint Thomas earlier in the week.