The Commonwealth Games medallist made a fleeting return to Scotland for last weekend's track championships, winning the 500 metres time trial and individual pursuit titles.

Cullen has shrugged off the disappointment of being ignored by Great Britain selectors for the World Track Championships in Manchester earlier in the year. That decision, which ended her hopes of going to the Olympic Games in Beijing, prompted thoughts of retirement.

But her move to the Dutch team and exposure to high-level road racing on the Continent have rekindled her enthusiasm and she is now aiming for a place in the Scotland team for the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010, with Glasgow four years later also a possibility. This evening's opening stage in the four-day event is a 4.6km individual time trial in Limoges.

Cullen will line up alongside several other British riders who are also signed up to Continental teams. Also in the field are professional teams from Russia, Belgium, Italy and France as well as several national squads.