Mark Cavendish exploded on to the Tour de France scene in 2008, winning four stages and proving beyond doubt he was the fastest sprint racer on the planet.
That made quite some difference from the Tour in 2007, which began in London, when he crashed twice in the early stages of the race. This year, Cavendish insists he's determined to reach Paris, to go for as many stage wins as possible - including perhaps a win on the Champs Elysees?
Here, ITV.com/tour brings you every detail you need about the 24-year-old Manx phenomenon who’s been tipped for Tour de France greatness:
Born in the Isle of Man in 1985, Cavendish became a world track champion as a teenager in 2005.
He has won five stages in Giro d’Italia in the last two years, and won the second stage of the 2009 Three Days of De Panne race in Belgium. His four stage wins at the Tour last year remain his most famous acheivement.
Won the Milan-San Remo Classic in his first attempt at the race, becoming the first rider since Tom Simpson in 1964 to do so.
Cavendish was brought to international attention after winning the 2007 Scheldeprijs classic in Belgium ahead of sprint legends such as Robbie McEwen.
After becoming a Commonwealth Games gold medallist, regained his world track title in partnership with Bradley Wiggins in 2008.
Chalked up 41 wins in just over two years as a professional and has been named Isle of Man Sportsman of the Year for the past two years.
Began the 2009 season in fine style by winning two stages of the Tour of Qatar, ahead of Belgian rival Tom Boonen.
Outspoken and at times controversial, Cavendish recently published his autobiography Boy Racer in which he openly criticises his former coach, the British coaching team at the Beijing Olympics, and even staff and team-mates in his current team Columbia.
Having failed to win a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics, Cavendish said: “for me the Olympics is not even in the top 10 of what you can achieve."
