BURY cyclist Adam Yates has been given the chance to prove he is the "man for the mountains" this summer after being handed an important role in the Tour de France and picked for Team GB's Olympic road race team.

The 23-year-old will ride alongside a star-studded British squad in Rio, headed up by reigning Tour de France champion Chris Froome.

With a hilly course facing competitors at the Games in August, Yates' climbing abilities should prove crucial as the Brits support Froome in his bid for gold.

But before then, the lifelong Bury Clarion member will be battling his Team GB captain head on when the Tour de France starts on Saturday after being feted by his team boss to challenge for honours in the race's decisive mountain stages.

Orica-GreenEDGE sporting director Max White said: “Adam (Yates) will be our guy for the mountains.

"There is no pressure to compete for the overall, that’s not our objective. One door closes and another opens, there are lots of stages that will suit Adam in this years race.

“He is only 23 and this is a vital part of Adam’s progression. He is versatile and can go head-to-head with the best of the climbers and this experience will be important for him.”

It will be Yates's second outing in the Tour de France and rode impressively at this year’s Criterium du Dauphine – the traditional warm-up for the Tour.

He finished third in the mountains against a world-class field on stage five, took seventh in the overall general classification and was second in the race for the white jersey for the race's best young rider.

It was further evidence of his progression after finishing as best British rider in this year's Tour de Yorkshire.

As long as he can stay clear of injury in the Tour, Yates will then make his Olympic debut, adding to a squad that includes Geraint Thomas, Peter Kennaugh and Ian Stannard, as well as Froome.

Mark England, Team GB’s Chef de Mission, said: “The mix of Olympic, World and Tour de France champions alongside talented debutants is enormously exciting.

“In the build-up to Rio 2016 the team have shown great form and will no doubt be looking to continue this at the Olympic Games this summer.”