THE world’s fastest cyclist has thrown his weight behind a bid to bring the Tour de France cycle race to North Yorkshire.

Mark Cavendish, winner of the green jersey as the Tour’s best sprinter in this year’s event, said he fully supports the county’s bid to host the Grand Depart – the opening stage of the famous cycling event – in 2016.

Cavendish, who has won 20 Tour de France stages since 2008, said: “My mum is from Yorkshire, so I’m proud to be backing the Yorkshire 2016 bid. The county would provide a stunning backdrop to the Tour, as well as a real test for the competitors.

“I have fond memories of holidaying in Yorkshire – a lot of my family still live there – and it would be fantastic if the world’s greatest cycle race could come to Yorkshire.

“I’m sure it would host a stunning Grand Depart.”

The county’s tourism agency, Welcome to Yorkshire, revealed in May that it had held discussions with Tour de France officials about the possibility of the race coming to the region.

The proposed route would start in Leeds city centre, weaving its way to the Yorkshire Dales, through Harrogate, Hawes and Leyburn, before returning to Leeds through Middleham, Masham and Ripon.

The second day of the course would then take the 22 teams through York and the North York Moors to Whitby, then on to Scarborough.

Riders would then go to Hull and finally to Sheffield.

The Grand Depart is held in a new location outside France every two years, and was last held in the UK in 2007, when thousands turned out to watch the teams in London and Kent, bringing £88m into the local economy.

Gary Verity, chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, said: “To have Mark’s backing for our bid is massive.

“We are serious about bringing the Grand Depart to Yorkshire and giving the French a warm Yorkshire welcome.

“The county is passionate about sport and would be thrilled to host the most celebrated cycle race in the world.”