Mark Cavendish to ride Six Day London 2018

The 32-year-old, finished second in 2016 and 2017 and, so enamoured was he with the event last year promised to return in 2018.

Britain has not had a winner of a London Six Day event since 1972 but Cavendish is set on trying to change that.

He will miss next month's Commonwealth Games due to injury but intends to make good on his promise to ride at the Lee Valley VeloPark from 23-28 October.

Cavendish, previously partnered with Sir Bradley Wiggins and Peter Kennaugh, said: "I said last year that if people bought tickets I'd come back - well I'm coming!

"The Six Day Series is getting bigger and better every year and I'm so excited to be coming back to London in October.

"Any Six Day is hard graft. It's mentally and physically exhausting.

"The crowd are amazing in London and really keep you going throughout the six days so I wanted to come back again for them.

"I am definitely in it to win it and I will give my all to give the crowd a home win.

"It won't be easy though, there's always a really strong field in London.

"Having a home crowd behind me will be vital, so come down and be part of Team Cav!"

Six Day racing was invented in London in 1878 and is one of cycling's oldest events.

Still as popular, live music from a track-centre DJ accompanies the racing, with riders competing in endurance and sprint-based disciplines across six nights.

Madison Sports Group CEO James Durbin added: "Mark's commitment to Six Day London is such that he told us he wanted to come back in 2018 whilst he was still competing at last year's event.

"He brings so much to the event – the crowd love him, he's a top, top rider and crucially he helps us as organisers make the event better year on year. Our next job is to work with Mark and confirm who he will be riding with!"

Sportsbeat 2018