RECENTLY crowned world champions Emily Nelson, Charlie Tanfield, Ethan Hayter and Kian Emadi are part of the 27-strong squad Team England will be taking to the Commonwealth Games in Australia next month.

Only five of the riders have previous Commonwealth experience across the track cycling, para-cycling, road cycling and mountain bike disciplines, with Olympic gold medallists Jason Kenny and Laura Kenny not participating and Lizzie Deignan electing not to defend the road-race title she won in Glasgow.

Philip Hindes, a two-time Olympic team sprint champion, Emadi, Helen Scott and Sophie Thornhill are the only members of the team that have previously won Commonwealth medals.

Tanfield, Hayter and Emadi will head Down Under on a high, having won gold in the men’s team pursuit at the 2018 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Apeldoorn last week, while Nelson won her first senior title in the women’s Madison alongside Katie Archibald.

Both Jason Kenny, who reversed his decision to retire and began his comeback in January, and wife Laura Kenny, who gave birth seven months ago, also won medals in the Netherlands, but neither will head for the Gold Coast.

Deignan is also missing the Games as she is prioritising her road commitments with her professional team.

Speaking about the 27 riders who will be in Australia, Team England chef de mission Sarah Winckless said: “This is a really busy time of year for our cycling teams, with the spring classics on the road, the world cup season starting for the mountain bikers and the world championships on the track, so I’m delighted we are taking such a strong team to the Commonwealth Games.

“England has a long history in cycling at the Commonwealth Games, having won over 100 medals. I’m hopeful this team will be able to add to that tally for team and country in just a few weeks time.”