MARK CAVENDISH has confirmed he will race in next month’s Tour of Britain.

The sprinter, fresh from equalling Eddy Merckx’s record of 34 Tour de France stage wins after four more victories this summer, will lead the Deceuninck-Quick-Step team at the event, which takes take place from September 5 to 12.

This year's Tour of Britain begins in Penzance and ends in Aberdeen, with the sixth stage, on September 10, seeing riders tackle a 192km route across the Pennines from Carlisle to Gateshead, tackling climbs at Hartside, Killhope and Burtree Fell.

Cavendish has won more stages of the modern Tour of Britain – ten – than any other rider. This will be the 12th time he has competed in the race, having led it for two days during the 2007 edition.

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

“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.”

As well as heading into the North-East, this year’s race also includes a team time trial in Carmarthenshire (stage three), a hill-top finish on the Great Orme, Llandudno (stage four) and a first finish in Edinburgh (stage seven).

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.”

As well as Cavendish's Deceuninck-Quick-Step team, other leading teams confirmed for the race include NEOS Grenadiers and Team Jumbo-Visma, along with Israel Start-Up Nation, Movistar Team, Team DSM and Team Qhubeka NextHash.

They will be joined by four UCI ProTeams, including the Belgian Alpecin-Fenix squad of reigning champion Mathieu van der Poel.