Record breaking number of British riders on Tour de France startline in 2024! Who are the 11?

Over the last decade and a half, British interest and influence in road cycling has been building to bigger heights then ever before seen. In 2024, another piece of history will be made as more Brits than ever before take on cycling's biggest spectacle.

For a long time, just seeing one British rider at the Tour de France was something notable. In total, 11 men hailing from Great Britain will be at the startline of the Grand Depart of the 2024 Tour de France in Florence. According to cycling stat expert Cillian Kelly, the largest number ever seen.

Arguably the most illustrious and successful British rider in history, the greatest sprinter of all time will return to the Tour de France for one final time in 2024. The last Grand Tour of his legendary career and one last chance to realise Project 35 and take over Eddy Merckx as the rider with the most stage wins in the long and storied history of the Tour de France.

Competing in the 4th Tour de France of his career, McLay has a best stage finish of 3rd from back in 2016. This time around, it's likely the 32-year-old will be seen more often than not in the leadout for his Arkéa - B&B Hotels leader, Arnaud Demare.

One of the most intriguing riders on this list, Pidcock's Tour de France role isn't yet totally clear for the INEOS Grenadiers. Seen by the team as a Grand Tour winner in waiting, not everyone is totally convinced by Pidcock's stage race capabilities. With the likes of Egan Bernal, Carlos Rodriguez and Geraint Thomas also in the team, whether Pidcock rides GC or is given a free license to replicate his epic Alpe d'Huez stage win from a couple years back remains to be seen.

A rare Scot at the Tour de France, Onley has had rotten luck over the last 12 months, breaking his collarbone three times. After lasting just one stage of his Grand Tour debut at the 2023 Vuelta a Espana, the talented Team DSM-Firmenich PostNL youngster will hopefully get more chance to shine this time around.

The only British Tour de France winner to make the startline this time around, the now 38-year-old Welshman enters the Tour this year off the back of claiming a podium place at the 2024 Giro d'Italia. Historically, Thomas has never been able to challenge for GC at two Grand Tours in the same year, so perhaps a revert back to super domestique duty this time around.

A third British INEOS Grenadiers rider, Turner is returning to the Tour de France after making his debut last summer. In 2023, the Englishman lasted the first 12 stages before leaving the race. In support of the likes of Geraint Thomas and Tom Pidcock among others, a big role awaits for the 25-year-old this time around.

Another Tour de France debutant, Stewart, now racing for Israel - Premier Tech has previously competed at both the Vuelta a Espana and the Giro d'Italia. Worth noting is that Stewart is actually one of the few professional cyclists battling Crohn's Disease, making his impressive performances all the more creditable.

For Stewart's Israel - Premier Tech teammate, Stephen Williams it is also a Tour de France debut. Never has the Aberystwyth native's stock ever been higher though, after some breakthrough performances in 2024, including wins at the Tour Down Under and La Fleche Wallonne.

Although he may have passed on his British National Champions jersey to Ethan Hayter last week, Wright remains one of Britain's best hopes for a stage success from the breakaway. Competing in his fourth Tour de France, the Bahrain - Victorious man came closest to taking victory on stage 13 of the 2022 edition, losing out to Mads Pedersen in Saint-Etienne.

Third at the Tour de France twelve months ago, Yates won the opening stage and spent time in the Maillot Jaune in a career best Grand Tour performance. Once again operating as Tadej Pogacar's right hand man, there will be a very important role to play for him again this time around.

Adam Yates brother, the pair famously went head to head for both the opening stage win and the final spot on the podium at the 2023 Tour de France. Simon Yates came up short against his brother on both occasions last year... Time for revenge?