Former York cyclist Charlie Wegelius has pedalled his way into England's road racing squad for the Commonwealth Games at Manchester.

The 24-year-old is part of a strong line-up includes riders with plenty of experience and success in major international events.

Former York Sixth Form College student Wegelius, who won a silver medal in the European Championships time trial in 1999, is originally from Bishopthorpe and now lives in Italy.

As well as the team event he will also ride in the time trial.

The team includes Derby-born Max Sciandri, a double Olympian and a bronze medallist for Great Britain at the Atlanta 1996 Olympics.

Roger Hammond is a former junior world champion in cyclo-cross and competed at the 1998 Commonwealth Games, as did Doncaster's John Tanner, who also won back-to-back road race national championships in 1999 and 2000.

The squad was announced following the National Road Race Championships, which took place over the Commonwealth Games course on Sunday.

England won four silver medals and two bronzes in cycling events at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games.Track cycling takes place at the National Cycling Centre, Manchester Velodrome on July 28 and then from July 30 to August 2.

The time trial, road race and mountain biking are at Rivington.

The time trial is on July 27, with mountain biking on July 29 and road racing on August 3.

Updated: 10:11 Wednesday, July 03, 2002