Mark Cavendish, one of the world’s top sprinters in professional cycling, has been “penciled in” to race in next month’s Tour of Missouri.

Fifteen teams, several of which competed at the Tour of France, will send nine men each to the seven-stage race, which makes its way to St. Joseph from Chillicothe on Saturday, Sept. 12.

Mr. Cavendish rides for team Columbia and provided several exciting finishes at the Tour de France this year, winning six stages and holding the prized green sprinters jersey for a few days. The Englishman from the Isle of Man has become known in the cycling world as the “Manx Missile” for his ability to rocket away from the world’s top sprinters as they near the finish line.

“I really enjoyed Tour of Missouri last year,” Mr. Cavendish said in a news release. “Cycling fans in America are genuinely enthusiastic about watching us race, which makes for a great atmosphere.”

Mr. Cavendish won the first stage of last year’s Tour of Missouri, which began in St. Joseph. He was awarded $1,500 and a replica mochila from the St. Joseph community for his Stage 1 win.

Tentatively scheduled to return to the Missouri race for team Columbia is George Hincapie, the winner of the 2007 Tour of Missouri. His return to Missouri depends on how well he heals from a broken collarbone suffered in this summer’s Tour de France. Mr. Hincapie has competed 14 times in the Tour de France, seven of which in support of teammate and friend Lance Armstrong.

Australian Michael Rogers, a three-time world champion, top Canadian rider Michael Barry, and time trial expert Marco Pinotti are also on the all-star Columbia team and expected to compete in the race.

Rosters from the 14 other teams are expected to be announced soon.