TOUR DE FRANCE hero Mark Cavendish will compete in this year’s Tour of Britain which arrives in the region on September 17.

TOUR DE FRANCE hero Mark Cavendish will compete in this year’s Tour of Britain which arrives in Suffolk on September 17.

Cavendish, who has won 20 stages of the Tour De France, last rode in the Tour of Britain five years ago when he won two stages of the race.

The Manxman, the winner of this year’s green jersey, will race for the HTC Highroad team when the event begins on Saturday in the Scottish Borders.

The event will move to Bury St Edmunds for the start of the seventh stage on September 17. The 200 km stage passes through Ipswich and parts of Suffolk before it finishes in Sandringham, Norfolk.

“As a team we have worked hard over the past fortnight to ensure that Mark Cavendish rides The Tour of Britain,” said race director Mick Bennett.

“Mark’s addition to the start list will ensure that the sprints are hotly contested.”