Cavendish prepares for Yorkshire Dales dash

When the Tour de France sprints through Yorkshire tomorrow, Mark Cavendish will hope to make a mark

Mark Cavendish
(Image credit: Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

With 24 hours to go before the start of the 101st Tour de France, excitement is building in Yorkshire where the race will begin on Saturday. The first three stages of cycling’s most famous race are in England and the Opening Ceremony on Thursday evening witnessed all 198 riders pedal from Leeds University through the city centre to the arena.

Once there, cycling’s greatest names were "treated" to a performance by Girls Aloud’s Kimberley Walsh, but the loudest cheer of the event was reserved for Britain’s Chris Froome, the defending champion, who will be leading Team Sky in the defence of his title.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up