The 21 year-old from St Helen’s is in the form of his life going into the Tour – which starts on September 11 in Rochdale.

A first year pro, Jonny has been one of the revelations of British Cycling in 2010, with his performances in the RAS Tour of Ireland, Halfords Tour Series and more recently Elite National Criterium Championship (where he came third), earning him a spot alongside Mark Cavendish in the British squad for the UCI Road World Championships in Australia later this month.

“I can’t wait for the start of the Tour of Britain,” says Jonny. “I’ve done it before as an amateur but never as a pro. It’s the most high-profile race that I will have done but I am definitely up for it.

“Although we will be facing some of the big continental teams, we don’t fear them at all. For the UK teams this is our big race, our opportunity to shine against the best, and we need to make the most of it.”

Adds Jonny: “In races such as the Tour of Britain it’s about taking your opportunities. The races are that well controlled that when someone makes a jump on a stage and forms a break you need to be on it because if you do, you could win it.

“Unlike some of the other UK races, where maybe 10-15 riders start as favourites, in the Tour of Britain everyone is in with a shout. We’ve already shown this season what we’re capable of doing and I don’t think a stage win is beyond any of us in the Motorpoint team.”

A small field of 35 riders lined up to face 55kms of the technically difficult Darley Moor. The pace from the start was fast from the offset but Motorpoint’s Hannah Walker came second overall, narrowly missing a crash at the end of the race team mate Harriet Owen came fourth.

The “Sheffield Express” as Elliott is better known, will begin his final racing weekend on Saturday evening at the Newport Nocturne in the popular Shropshire event.

Elliott who began his career in the eighties, has enjoyed a three decade career including two Commonwealth golds, the Sprinter jersey at the Tour of Spain and winning the amateur Milk Race.

His final race of the season will be on Sunday, at the Warwick Cycle Race, alongside Olympic Gold medallist Ed Clancy.

The three-day race, traditionally held over the August Bank Holiday, has proved in the past to be a breeding ground for future top professional cyclists with Mark Cavendish and Team Sky’s Edvald Boasson Hagen having ridden it in recent years.

The 20 year-old, who only turned pro this season, will be part of a team including Mark Cavendish, who has 15 Tour de France stage wins to his name, competing in Melbourne between September 29 and October 3. He will be racing alongside Alex Dowsett, Andy Fenn and Luke Rowe in the Under 23 Men’s Road Race.

Jonny has been one of the revelations of British cycling in 2010. A key member of the Motorpoint pro-cycling team, he has already put in strong performances in the Halfords Tour Series, the RAS Tour of Ireland, Nocturne Series and the National Circuit Championship to name but a few.

Says Keith Lambert, Team Manager: “Jonny’s inclusion in the World Championship squad is well-deserved. He’s had a fantastic year on the road and I am confident that he will do his country proud in Australia.”

The quintet, minus Pete Williams who is recovering from his accident on Saturday night in Blackpool, have been working on their conditioning by riding  in excess of 100 miles a day riding through the heather-clad Pennine’s up into the Scottish Borders.

Their base camp has been the Youth Hostel in Alton – reportedly the highest market town in Britain at over 1,000 feet. And although relatively spartan, the Cumbrian hostel (http://www.yha.org.uk/find-accommodation/northumberland-north-pennines/hostels/alston/index.aspx), and it’s cycling mad staff has proved a real hit with the team.

“We’re really enjoying it,” says Jonny McEvoy, who is relishing the prospect of racing in the Tour of Britain for the first time as a professional. Even the constant rain hasn’t dampened their enthusiasm. “Everyone at the hostel has been brilliant. They can’t do enough for you. It’s just what you need after you’ve been in the saddle for over five hours.”

The Elite Men’s Circuit Race was the climax of an evening’s entertainment. The race got off to a flying start with a fast pace with Ed Clancy made an early break along with Andy Tennant to gain the lead. But the push was to no avail and the two riders drifted off the front and were sent to the back of the peleton as they seemed to loose steam.

An accident on the 900m course gave the opportunity for a two man escape as Rapha Condor Sharp’s  Dean Downing and Sigma Sport’s Simon Richardson escaped and lapped the field to build up a substantial lead who both finished first and second.

Motorpoint finally finished with Jonny McEvoy in eighth and Malcolm Elliott in thirteenth.