Six sprint stages at Le Tour

Tough route but there are chances

Manx cycling superstar Mark Cavendish says there are six opportunities for the sprinters in the 21 stages at next year's Tour de France.

The route was announced in Paris today - in total competitors will cover 2,187 miles and 28 categorised climbs before the finish on the Champs-Elysees.

The biggest cycling race on the calendar will visit Switzerland, Andorra and Spain.

Cavendish has won 26 stages at Le Tour and is third on the all-time list of winners.