Tour of Britain 2015: Sprinter Mark Cavendish to compete

Cavendish's 26 Tour de France stage wins puts him third on the all-time list

British sprinter Mark Cavendish will lead a strong Etixx-Quick Step team at the Tour of Britain in September.

The Manxman has appeared every year since 2011 and will use it as preparation for the World Championships in Virginia later in the month.

The 26-time Tour de France stage winner said: "It's always something special to ride in front of your national crowd."

Etixx-Quick Step will be one of nine UCI world teams - road cycling's top division - taking part in the tour.

The Belgian team will also include world cyclo-cross champion and 2015 Tour de France stage six winner Zdenek Stybar. They will join overall 2014 Tour of Britain winner Dylan van Baarle as those already confirmed for the tour, which takes place from 6-13 September.

Sir Bradley Wiggins' Team Wiggins will make their Tour of Britain debut this year and One Pro Cycling, co-founded by former England cricketer Matt Prior, will also feature in a line-up described as "undoubtedly the strongest" in the race's history.

The Tour of Britain starts in Anglesey and takes in Colne, Edinburgh, Blyth, Stoke, Fakenham and Ipswich before ending in London.