SCOTT Thwaites goes into Sunday's Men's National Road Race Championship race looking to boost his chances of international selection.

The 27-year-old knows that a strong finish in the Isle of Man will strengthen his case for a place in Great Britain's squad for the World Championships in Norway in October.

The Burley-in-Wharfedale rider has been fine-tuning his preparations on the roads around Yorkshire for what he describes as a "lumpy race."

The national tile will be decided on a course that combines two laps of the 37.7-mile Mountain Course used for the famous TT motorcycle races before ten laps of a 4.5-mile finishing circuit in Douglas.

Thwaites will be riding in the colours of Team Dimension Data alongside local hero Mark Cavendish – a former national champion – and Steve Cummings.

Thwaites said: "It is going to be an open race and a good test. There is a good field and it will be very competitive.

"I hae been happy with my preparations and I would like to get a place in the World Championship squad because I think the course in Norway will suit my style."

With his focus on the National Championships, Thwaites will not be competing in next week's Otley Town Centre race or the one at Skipton a week later.

Thwaites has won both in the past but he says he will, if his schedule allows, go along to support.

"Many people have supported me there in the past and if I can, I will support the riders competing this time."

Thwaites, who competed in the Tour de Yorkshire for the first time earlier this year, is looking forward to two more big races in this country.

The Prudential Ride London-Surrey Classic next month and September's Tour of Britain.

"Riding in the Tour de Yorkshire was fantastic with the home crowds giving us such fantastic support.

"It was my first race back after a break and I knew I didn't have enough in my legs to make a big impact.

"But I thoroughly enjoyed it, particularly the Yorkshire Terrier stage from Bradford to Sheffield where my team had a one-two finish.

"It is great racing in front of such big crowds and that is why I am looking forward to doing the London race and the Tour of Britain."

Adam Blythe (Aqua Blue Sport) – like Thwaites a former Otley winner – will defend the title he won in Stockton-on-Tees.

Former champions and Manxmen Mark Cavendish (Dimension Data) and Peter Kennaugh (Team Sky) will be keen for glory on home turf.

Kennaugh will feature as one of a six-strong Team Sky squad, being joined by Jonathan Dibben, Owain Doull, Luke Rowe, Ian Stannard and Tao Geoghegan Hart, who won the under-23 men’s title in 2016.

Former under-23 champion Scott Thwaites (Dimension Data) and 2016 bronze medallist Andrew Fenn will also be in contention alongside UAE Team Emirates’ Ben Swift.

In the women’s road race, 2015 world road champion Lizzie Deignan (Boels Dolmans) will be favourite to win her fourth national road title.

Her challengers will include defending champion Hannah Barnes (Canyon – SRM) and her sister Alice Barnes (Drops) – who is the current under-23 champion and was the silver medallist in 2016 - as well as Olympic track gold medallist Dani King (Cylance Pro Cycling) and local favourite Anna Christian (Drops).