Green jersey winner in 2011, Mark Cavendish had to sacrifice personal ambition the following year as Team Sky led Bradley Wiggins to the maillot jaune.

 

Twelve months later, illness and a far from perfect sprint train cost him again as he was unable to add to the red jersey he had won at the Giro d’Italia.

This time however, Cavendish arrives in good form with an experienced sprint train at his disposal. Tony Martin’s phenomenal efforts this season have marked him out as one of the riders of the season, while Mark Renshaw returns this season – starting his first Tour alongside Cavendish since 2011. Alessandro Petacchi also provides vast sprinting experience.

Cavendish may not be able to compete with Sagan on the hillier stages, but he has the experience of winning the green jersey and has the sprinting prowess necessary to rack up the stage wins and maximum points in the immediate bunch kicks.

The Manx Missile has built his entire season around the Tour, with the yellow jersey in Harrogate and the green jersey in Paris his two targets. Ten victories to his name this season certainly suggests he has the form.