MARK CAVENDISH has confirmed he will return to cycling at the Tour de Yorkshire next month and is looking forward to soaking up the atmosphere "in one of the most beautiful places in the world".
The 32-year-old Manxman suffered a dramatic crash in Italy in March, fracturing a rib and damaging his ankle, but will be fit to compete in Yorkshire between Thursday, May 3 and Sunday, May 6.
Stage one of the race is held on the Thursday and passes through Pocklington on the 113-mile course between Beverley and Doncaster, while Saturday's 112-mile third stage runs from Richmond to Scarborough via Thirsk, Helmsley and Pickering.
Stages two and four run from Barnsley to Ilkley and Halifax to Leeds, respectively.
One of the sport's highest-profile figures, Cavendish has won no fewer than 30 Tour de France stages and was a silver medallist at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
He said: “I’m delighted to have recovered sufficiently from my injuries at Milan-San Remo to be back racing sooner than I initially thought.
“My mother’s from Harrogate and obviously the last time I raced, things didn’t go that great in the 2014 Tour de France.
"One thing I do remember is the incredible crowds and I know that the Tour de Yorkshire always provides. It’s the first time that I’ve raced the Tour de Yorkshire and I’m extremely excited.
“Results-wise, I’m not sure where my form will be actually only having had a couple of weeks back on the bike, but I’ll just be absorbing the atmosphere in one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
Welcome to Yorkshire chief executive Sir Gary Verity is also excited to hear the Team Dimension Data rider will be in contention.
He said: “Mark is a living legend in the world of cycling and we’re over the moon that he will be competing at the Tour de Yorkshire next month.
"It’s not every day you get to see a sportsman of his stature competing on home roads, and we’re certain he’ll receive a hero’s welcome.”
For full details on the 2018 Tour de Yorkshire and Asda Tour de Yorkshire Women’s Race, see letouryorkshire.com
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