Mark Cavendish has been selected to ride for Deceuninck-Quick-Step at this year’s Tour de France which begins on Saturday.

The Manx Missile, who has won 30 stages at the most prestigious race on the professional cycling calendar, had been expected to miss out on selection after team director manager Patrick Lefevere said last week that fellow sprinter Sam Bennett was fit to ride.

But Irishman Bennett, who won the green points jersey in last year’s edition, has been struggling to overcome a knee injury in recent weeks.

This, coupled with Cav’s return to form - including four wins at the Tour of Turkey and victory on the final stage of the Baloise Belgium Tour - has resulted in the Manxman being recalled to Le Tour for the first time in three years.

The 2021 Tour begins with the Grand Depart in Brest this Saturday and continues until the final stage in Paris on Sunday, July 18.

Full story in Tuesday’s Isle of Man Examiner - pick up your digital copy at http://www.iomtoday.co.im/subscribe.cfm