Mark Cavendish heads strong Etixx-Quick-Step Tour de France squad

Mark Cavendish, Rigoberto Uran and Michal Kwiatkowski headline the Etixx-Quick-Step squad for the 2015 Tour de France

Mark Cavendish on the podium after winning the 2015 Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne

(Image credit: Watson)

Mark Cavendish will have a strong supporting cast as he bids to add to his 25 Tour de France stage victories, as Etixx-Quick-Step announced their nine-man squad.

As well as his trusted lead-out man Mark Renshaw, Cavendish will be able to call on the services of world champion Michal Kwiatkowski and Classics specialist Zdenek Stybar.

Three-time world time trial champion Tony Martin will once again form part of Cavendish's sprint train, with possible eyes on the opening time trial in Utrecht.

Kwiatkowski and Stybar, meanwhile, may have their eyes on stages three and four respectively, with the Pole performing well in the hilly classics, while the Czech rider finished second at E3 Harelbeke and Paris-Roubaix.

Former Team Sky rider Rigoberto Uran rides his second Grand Tour of the year, having completed the Giro d'Italia in May, while Michal Golas, Julien Vermote and Matteo Trentin round out the squad.

Etixx-Quick-Step squad for the 2015 Tour de France

Mark Cavendish, Mark Renshaw, Rigoberto Uran, Tony Martin, Michal Kwiatkowski, Michal Golas, Julian Vermote, Matteo Trentin, Zdenek Stybar

Mark Cavendish discusses his chances at the Tour de France

Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access

Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription

Join now for unlimited access

Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1

Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.