SCOTT Thwaites is hungry for more after finishing his first Tour de France.

The Burley in Wharfedale rider was making his debut in the world's biggest race for Team Dimension Data, fulfilling one of his earliest ambitions as a cyclist.

Thwaites said: "I've really enjoyed it. It's something I've always wanted to do and now I've done it. It's a big race ticked off the list.

"It's been tough, which is what I expected with 200 of the best guys in the world here in their best shape, but it's a great stepping stone in my career and hopefully I can be back next year for another go."

At the start of the Tour, Thwaites had said he was most looking forward to tackling the famous climbs in the Alps and Pyrenees and the 27-year-old Yorkshireman said the experience of riding up mountains such as the Galibier and Col d'Izoard did not disappoint.

"At the time, they're not that nice when you're suffering, but it's so beautiful with the fans," he said.

"Just going through that sea of screaming people, it's an amazing feeling just to ride through there with all the support. I heard lots of shouts for myself and for the team."

Dimension Data's plans were upended early in Le Tour when star sprinter Mark Cavendish crashed out on stage four. But Norwegian rider Edvald Boasson Hagen ensured they did not go home empty-handed by winning stage 19 – having twice been denied in photo finishes earlier in the race.

Thwaites said: "We definitely deserved it. We bounced back well from Cav crashing out and Eddy really stepped up to lead the team. He got close so many times.

"It wasn't really that it was frustrating but we felt we deserved something from the race. All the hard work we put in paid off."

Thwaites will now return to the UK, where he plans to line up for the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic this weekend, and he hopes to take part in the Tour of Britain in September.

He said: "We'll have to see how the legs are. Coming out of the Tour it can go two ways. You either come out with really good legs or really tired.

"Hopefully I can do the Tour of Britain because it's always nice to race in the UK."