Cycling: Thomas and Hunt to support Cavendish

Cavendish (above) will be supported by Geraint Thomas and Jeremy Hunt (Getty Images)

The two men who will support Mark Cavendish's attempt to win the International Cycling Union World Championships road race were yesterday named by British Cycling.

Geraint Thomas and Jeremy Hunt will take to the start line on 3 October alongside Cavendish for the 262.7-kilometre (164-mile) road race from Melbourne to Geelong. Earlier this month the UCI confirmed the 25-year-old from the Isle of Man would have the support of just two team-mates and must overcome a numerical disadvantage with his main rivals, who will be members of nine-man teams.

The British Cycling performance, director Dave Brailsford, said: "It's no surprise that we've built the men's road team around Mark this year, and Mark and the coaching staff believe that, of the pool of talent we had to choose from, Geraint and Jeremy would provide the best support to Mark on this course."

David Millar has been named as Britain's entrant for the time trial, with Bradley Wiggins, as expected, opting not to take part in the World Championships, which run from 29 September until 3 October.

The Olympic champion Nicole Cooke and the British road race champion Emma Pooley will lead the women's team.