Legendary sprinter Mark Cavendish has been confirmed as the first rider for this year's Tour Of Britain,  which will go through parts of Northumberland.

Mark Cavendish, billed as the greatest sprinter of all time, has been confirmed as the first rider for this year’s Tour of Britain which takes place between Sunday, September5 and 12.

Cavendish has previously started 11 Tours of Britain, finishing nine, and led the race for two days during the 2007 edition.

A world champion on both road and track, he equalled Eddy Merckx’s long-standing record of 34 stage victories in the Tour de France and won the race’s prestigious points competition in July.

Cavendish said: “It is always an honour to race on the home roads of the Tour of Britain.

"It is a race where I have always enjoyed success and I am really looking forward to racing with what I know will be a strong Deceuninck – Quick-Step team.

"It has already been a special year for me and riding the Tour of Britain will be a great way to see so many of the people that have supported throughout.”

Mick Bennett, Tour of Britain race director, said: “We always pride ourselves on the quality of riders we attract, and the participation of Mark Cavendish in this year’s Tour of Britain will no doubt whet the appetite of the British public.

".He’s a true great of our sport – something he has proved once again throughout his unforgettable 2021 season – and I cannot wait to see him on the start line in Penzance.”

The remainder of their six-man squad for the Tour of Britain, as well as those of the other competing teams, will be announced in due course.

This year’s race begins in Cornwall on Sunday, September 5, and includes a team time trial in Carmarthenshire (stage three), hill-top finish on the Great Orme, Llandudno (stage four) and a first-ever finish in Edinburgh (stage seven). The 2021 champion will be crowned in Aberdeen on

Sunday 12 September. Live coverage will be available on ITV4 in the UK, as well as in over 150 countries worldwide.