Mark Cavendish confirmed for 2019 Tour de Yorkshire

BIG NAME: Mark Cavendish. Picture: Tony Johnson.

The 33-year-old Manxman has won no-less than 30 Tour de France stages in a memorable career that also includes the 2011 UCI Road World Championships title and a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Cavendish, whose mother lives in Harrogate, received a hero’s welcome when he competed in last year’s race, influencing his decision to compete again between May 2-5

He said: “I’m really excited to heading back to the Tour de Yorkshire along with my Dimension Data for Qhubeka team-mates to race in one of the most beautiful places in the world.

COUNT ME IN: Mark Cavendish will return to compete in the 2019 Tour de Yorkshire. Picture: Tony Johnson

“I really enjoyed the tough but beautiful parcours last year as I rode the race for the first time, and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for us in the 2019 edition.

“Over and above the racing though, it always blows my mind to see the incredible support of the fans. With some of my family in Yorkshire, it makes it so special and I can’t wait to see them all again.”

Cavendish will be joined in a strong Team Dimension Data line-up by Nic Dlamini, Bernhard Eisel, Mark Renshaw, Tom-Jelte Slagter and Rasmus Tiller.

Those riders join four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome, Marcel Kittel and Lizzie Deignan who have already announced they will be competing in the 2019 edition.

Cavendish will join that trio onstage at the Tour de Yorkshire Eve of Tour celebrations in Millennium Square in Leeds between 6-7pm on Wednesday 1 May. This free event offers fans the perfect chance to get close to the riders before racing begins.