Janier Acevedo is one of several Tour de France debutants when the race takes off from Leeds today. Having set back by injuries earlier in the season, the Colombian is fully ready to support Andrew Talansky in the mountains.

Last year Janier Acevedo impressed the cycling world with his impressive climbing in the biggest American stage races. His results earned him a contract with Garmin-Sharp.

However, injuries have set him back in the first part of the season and so he has done little racing in Europe so far. However, he has recovered in time for the Tour de France and has been selected by his team as the key support rider for Andrew Talansky in the mountains.

"My big goal for the race is that the team is successful," he told CyclingQuotes in Leeds. "Furthermore, it is important for me to learn and become a better rider by virtue of my experiences here. This is only my second race in Europe after I did the Tour de Suisse last month.

"The difference between the American and European races is mainly the level. The riders are generally stronger and the pace is faster. It's not only the level though. The riders also act differently in the peloton. They are professional and rarely make any mistakes.

"Talansky has had a really good preparation and I hope he will do well. It is hard to say where he'll end but I will do my best to support him throughout the entire race. First and foremost the team needs to bring into a good position for the climbs and then it is my job to support in the mountains."