SOUTH DEVON'S veteran cycle race pro Jeremy Hunt could finally realise his long cherished ambition to ride the Tour de France — at the age of 36.

And Hunt hopes to be a key weapon in defeating his fellow Brit, the world's No.1 sprinter Mark Cavendish!

A brave failure in appalling weather conditions may prove to be one of his strongest arguments for a place in the sport's greatest race.

Hunt, from Dartington, was one of the Cervelo TestTeam's squad in the recent Belgian one-day classic, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne.

Three riders, including Briton Ian Stannard, had broken away, and it was Hunt's job to help his leader, Norwegian sprinter Thor Hushovd, back into contention.

In driving wind and rain, which decimated the field and forced the organisers to cut the 194K race by 20 kilometres, Hunt did much of the work at the head of a chasing group which included Hushovd and teammates Dominique Rollin and Hayden Roulston.

They had hauled the leaders back to within half-a-minute with 30K to go.

Hunt, exhausted, pulled off the road and was helped into the team car.

Hushovd & Co never did close the gap, as they too had little more to give.

Dutch rider Bobbie Traksel (Vacansoleil) won, with Stannard of GB's new Team Sky third.

But Hunt's performance has earned widespread praise and respect, not least from Hushovd.

The big Norwegian is determined to inflict a second defeat on Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) for the Tour de France's coveted Green jersey, awarded to the most consistent stage finisher.

It nearly always goes to a sprinter, and sprinters need teammates like Hunt to get them into winning positions.

Hushovd pipped Cavendish to the jersey last year.

Hunt's mentor Colin Lewis is confident that his man has a good chance of making the Tour in July.

"Jez was home the other day, and we went out for a ride together," said Bovey Tracey-based Lewis, who rode in two Tours, the 1964 Olympic Games and was also National Road Race champion.

"He gets on really well with Hushovd, and Cervelo's other sprinter Heinrich Haussler.

"They're already making plans for the Tour, and I get the feeling that Hushovd wants Jez there as one of his lead-out men.

"Jez is very motivated.

"He's always wanted to ride the Tour, and he's been disappointed so many times.

"But this year could be the one at last."

A former student of Dartington's Steiner School, Hunt — he will be 36 tomorrow — is in his 15th season as a European professional racer.

He started with Spanish squad Banesto in 1996 and has since ridden for BigMat-Auber, MBK-Oktos, Mr.Bookmaker-Palmans, Unibet, Credit Agricole and, for the last two years, Cervelo.

Since starting as a junior with the Mid-Devon CC, Hunt has also won two National road championships among 28 career victories.

He is currently riding the week-long Tirreno-Adriatico stage race in Italy, again as an ally for Hushovd.