Cavendish determined to sprint in for ‘home’ triumph in Harrogate

The 101st Tour begins in Yorkshire on the weekend of July 5 and 6 with the first stage from Leeds to the spa town being one designed for the sprinters.

Mark Cavendish – who has extra motivation given his mother is from Harrogate – and reigning green jersey holder Marcel Kittel both stressed yesterday in Paris how determined they are to kickstart their challenge by winning the opening stage and claiming the fabled maillet jaune.

Throw Peter Sagan into the mix and Yorkshire cycling fans are likely to see the three quickest sprinters in a generation race for the line to claim the yellow jersey here in the White Rose county.

For Cavendish, it will be particularly poignant if he manages to add to his 25 stage wins at the first attempt next year.

“We have an apartment 50 metres from the finish line,” he said as he pointed to Harrogate on the official map of the tour at the route unveiling yesterday.

“I used to stay there two or three times a year. A lot of my family will be there. Hopefully, I’ll have a successful weekend and head to France and carry it on there.

“It’s difficult for a sprinter to win the yellow jersey but (race director) Christian Prudhomme has given sprinters the opportunity.

“And for me, winning the yellow jersey would make it extra special in my mother’s home town.

“To be able to race in my mother’s home county is an honour.

“Being chosen as an ambassador for Yorkshire is a great honour. Gary Verity (Welcome to Yorkshire) and the team have done an incredible job and it will be an amazing occasion.”

The two routes in Yorkshire have been known for some time, with the second stage one that is brimming with danger as nine punchy climbs highlight the 198km from York to Sheffield. But the Frenchifying of Yorkshire’s role was confirmed with well-known climbs renamed in the official Tour lexicon as the Cote de Holme Moss and the Cote d’Oughtibridge.

After Yorkshire and London, the 101st race takes in the cobbles of Belgium, the heartland of France and the climbs of the Pyranees, Alps and Vosges mountain ranges.

There are five summit finishes, which plays into the hands of 2013 winner Chris Froome. But it is the cobblestones that could cause the most danger.

Froome said: “The cobblestones are something we are going to have to prepare for specifically and look at very carefully at how we minimise the risks. There are accidents and mechanical problems that could happen.”