by Justin Davis(AFP)

LES HERBIERS, France, July 1, 2011 – It’s a prospect that most of the elite peloton won’t even consider, but Australian debutant Matt Goss admits he could make a dream start to the Tour de France by pulling on the yellow jersey.

The first stage of the 98th edition starts on Saturday with a 191.5km ride from Passage du Gois to Mont des Alouettes.

And although several top sprinters who can climb will be in contention, the steady 3.5 km climb to the finish line suits Goss to a tee.

A team-mate of 15-time stage winner Mark Cavendish at HTC-Highroad, Goss is also sprinter in his own right. This season alone he notably defied his 24 years to win the prestigious Milan-SanRemo one-day classic.

Heading into his debut on the world’s premier cycling event Goss said his priority will be to help his American outfit “win stages and the race’s green jersey”.

He might not like to admit it, but he is also aware he could find himself in the race leader’s storied yellow jersey later Saturday afternoon.

“Phew. It’s something I haven’t really thought about, pulling on the yellow jersey,” said Goss.

“It’s something in the back of your mind and it’s a stage that could suit me, but there’s a lot of competition out there.

“There’s (Philippe) Gilbert, Thor Hushovd, those kind of guys who have shown their form is coming good in recent weeks.

“It would be an absolute dream come true, especially on my first Tour de France and first stage, first attempt…. it’s something I couldn’t even fathom.

“But I think it’s a long way from that. We’ve still got a couple of hundred kilometers of racing to go yet.”

In what could be HTC-Highroad’s final Tour appearance — team owner Bob Stapleton is currently canvassing for a new team sponsor — it could be notable on several fronts.

Despite his success with the team Cavendish is reported to be set on a big-money move to British outfit Team Sky. This year’s route also appears less kind to the Isle of Man sprinter.

From the 21 stages only six — stages three, five, seven, 11, 15 and 21 — finish on the flat terrain favored by Cavendish and his formidable lead-out train.

Cavendish insists: “I just have to sprint at every opportunity, that’s my job.”

However on several occasions the Manxman could find himself in the comparatively unfamiliar role of working to support Goss. Asked if that was a possibility, Cavendish replied: “Yes”

“He’s a different sprinter to me. It adds to the strength of our team. Stages I necessarily won’t get to the finish, Matt Goss will get to the finish.”

On the more complicated sprint stages Goss will be expected to front up. But he insists there be no in-fighting with the man known as the ‘Manx Missile’.

“I’m happy to help him and if he thinks the stage is too hard for him he’s happy to help me,” added Goss.

“We’ll look at each stage and make a decision before the start, if someone feels bad on the road we’ll make a decision to change then.

“But you’re not going to see us sprinting to the line against each other, that’s for sure.”

Well aware of his good odds for Saturday, Goss is leaving nothing to chance.

“I know what the first stage is like, but we’re going to look at it again. It’s a possible chance to get the ball rolling.”