The race, which will take place from June 29 to July 21, will include two visits to the Alps, with Paris being skipped due to the Olympics.

Cavendish, 38, has postponed his retirement plans in order to attempt to match Eddy Merckx’s Tour stage win record of 34.

“It’s perhaps the most difficult course I’ve ever seen for a Tour,” added the Spaniard.

Cavendish of Astana-Qazaqstan will have up to eight sprint stages to try to break the record he shares with Belgian legend Merckx.

The British rider was forced to withdraw from this year’s Tour after collapsing and breaking his collarbone on stage eight.

“Honestly, I’m shocked at how hard this Tour de France is,” Cavendish continued.