Cycling fans in Suffolk have been dealt a blow after Mark Cavendish pulled out of the Tour of Britain due to injury.

The 2011 world champion was one of the main household names alongside Sir Bradley Wiggins set to take part in the penultimate stage – stage seven – of the sporting spectacle in the county tomorrow.

But Cavendish was involved in a crash shortly after today’s stage six start in Stoke-on-Trent. Although he got back on his bike and continued with the race, he later withdrew.

Cavendish’s withdrawal has been confirmed by the race organisers and his riding team Etixx-QuickStep team, but details of his injury have not been released.

The Tour of Britain account on Twitter said: “After his early crash on the stage Mark Cavendish has been forced to abandon the race.”

Etixx-QuickStep said on Twitter: “Team confirms @MarkCavendish crashed and has withdrawn from #AvivaToB2015. More information will be provided after the race.”

The Team GB Twitter account said: “Our best wishes to @MarkCavendish who has withdrawn from the @TourofBritain after crashing.”

Tomorrow, riders will begin at Fakenham Racecourse in Norfolk at 10am, travel through west Suffolk towns including Bury St Edmunds, Stowmarket and Needham Market before finishing in Princes Street in Ipswich at around 3.45pm.

It is the longest route out of the eight stages of the Tour, which finishes with a two-hour race in London on the following day.

The stage today was won by Italian rider Matteo Trentin but Norwegian rider Edvald Boasson Hagen increased his lead in the general classification to 13 seconds over Team Sky’s Wout Poels.