Tuesday 7 June 2016 17:30, UK
Chris Froome will miss this month's British Cycling National Road Championships to focus on the Tour de France, which starts on July 2.
Froome, who won the Tour in 2013 and 2015, will also attempt to win gold in the road road and time trial at the Rio Olympics in August.
However, despite his absence, a number of leading riders have decided to compete at the nationals in Stockton-on-Tees, including former world road race champion Mark Cavendish and Team Sky riders Ian Stannard, Luke Rowe and Ben Swift.
Cavendish won the national title in 2013, since when Pete Kennaugh has claimed back-to-back victories on the road.
But Kennaugh will not be able to complete a hat-trick of wins in the event, as the Isle of Man rider is still recovering from a broken collarbone suffered during the Tour of California last month.
One other high-profile absentee is Geraint Thomas, the 2010 national champion and reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
The Welshman is likely to be a key member of the Team Sky squad hoping to lead Froome to glory in the Tour.
This year's national road race championship takes place on June 26, with the men covering 207km.
Meanwhile, Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell-Shand, Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald are missing from the women's field.
But reigning world champion Lizzie Armitstead will take part, along with Emma Pooley who has come out of retirement to target the Rio Games.
Dame Sarah Storey, the 11-time Paralympic champion, and Pooley compete in the women's time-trial which takes place on June 23 - the opening day of the four-day meeting.
The men's time trial will feature Alex Dowsett, who is chasing a record fifth triumph in the event.
