A CUMBRIAN cyclist is taking part in the Tour of Britain.

Mark Donovan, from Penrith, is representing Team DSM in the competition.

The 22-year-old is currently in ninth place after four stages of the event.

This follows a 45th placed finish at Tour de France earlier this year and a 48th placed finish in last year's Vuelta a Espana.

Vuelta a Espana was his Grand Tour debut, and he showed his talents by making two top-five stage finishes.

This is considered impressive for someone in their first professional year of cycling.

Mark studied at Keswick School and was a member of Beacon Wheelers Cycling Club, based in Penrith, as a youngster.

He joined Team DSM in 2020, making the move up from under-23 level.

Originally a cross-country and fell runner, Mark switched focus to cycling at the age of 14 following an injury.

He is now based in Girona, Spain.

The sixth stage of the Tour of Britain comes to Cumbria on Friday, September 10.

This is the first time since 2016 that the city hosts a stage of the race.

The route for the competition remains the same as last year, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.

The route goes along the Lakes, passing through communities in Ullswater, Pooley Bridge and Unthank.

Competitors will also cycle through Langwathby, Melmerby, Alston and Nenthead before heading into County Durham and finishing for the day at Gateshead.

The other stages are spread across the country, with the first having started in Penzance and the final stage finishing in Aberdeen.

Olympic silver medalist Mark Cavendish is just one of the many stars who will be challenging for the prize pot of over £80,000.

The Isle of Man-based cyclist has won the most stages in modern Tour of Britain history.

Tokyo 2020 medallists Wout van Aert, Ethan Hayter and reigning UCI road world champion Julian Alaphilippe will also be taking part.