During the last year, Mark Cavendish has proudly worn the British national champion's jersey but when he lines up for the start of the Tour de France, he will be back in his usual Omega Pharma-Quick Step kit. A bout of bronchitis has taken him out of his title defence and he prefers to stay in Italy to train for his biggest goal.

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."