Mark Cavendish, Nairo Quintana and Dan Martin to ride Tour of Britain

Mark Cavendish, Nairo Quintana and Dan Martin will join Sir Bradley Wiggins in the best-ever field assembled for the Tour of Britain, it was confirmed today.

Race organiser SweetSpot this morning revealed the full provisional line-up for the race, which features 14 previous Grand Tour stage winners - with 110 Giro, Tour and Vuelta stage victories between them - among the 19-team field.

Cavendish will race alongside new Omega Pharma-Quick Step team-mate Alessandro Petacchi for the first time in the eight-day event, and needs one stage victory in the modern Tour's 10th edition to become the most successful rider in its history.

Tour de France runner-up Quintana will compete in Britain for the first time as part of his preparation for the World Championships road race in Florence, Italy, at the end of September. His team-mate and reigning British Time Trial Champion Alex Dowsett will also be in action, and will likely go head-to-head with Wiggins on the 16-kilometre stage three time trial around Knowsley, Merseyside.

Although the participation of these riders was anticipated, Dan Martin's involvement in the race came about after the Irishman crashed out of the Vuelta a Espana in the opening week. Martin (Garmin-Sharp) finished fourth in 2008, and returns to the race for the first time since 2010.

Related links

Tour of Britain 2013: Provisional start list

Tour of Britain 2013: Cycling Weekly's coverage index