After months of hypothesis, Mark Cavendish’s future workforce for 2023 has lastly been confirmed, with Astana Qazaqstan saying that the Manxman has inked a cope with the Kazakhstani WorldTour workforce.
Cavendish will subsequently be capable to combat for a record-beating thirty fifth Tour de France stage win this summer time with a WorldTour squad that has assured participation in biking’s largest stage race.
Astana’s curiosity in signing Cavendish first turned public in mid-December when workforce supervisor Alexandr Vinokourov acknowledged to Cyclingnews that he had known as Cavendish after the B&B Resorts mission collapsed.
The 37-year-old then travelled to Spain to go to the workforce at their coaching camp as a contract was formalised, however Christmas and New 12 months got here and went with out an announcement.
On Tuesday afternoon, with Cavendish having joined the newest coaching camp in Spain, the workforce lastly introduced that the Manxman has joined on a one-year deal.
“I’m actually excited for this journey. I raced with Alexandr Vinokurov for a few years, and now I’m racing together with his two boys! I bear in mind after they had been youngsters the identical age as my very own, dreaming to be bike racers,” Cavendish mentioned.
“Astana Qazaqstan Staff goes to be an important place to achieve success, with a powerful workforce led by Alexandr, a champion on the bike and a gentleman off the bike. I’ve loved an extended profession already, however the pleasure of driving my bike and the starvation to proceed successful are as brilliant as ever.
“So I’m wanting ahead to being a part of a profitable workforce, whether or not working with the workforce for wins, crossing the road first myself, or cheering on my teammates. As at all times, the target will probably be for us to face on the highest podium.”
Vinokourov added: “Properly, Mark Cavendish doesn’t want any presentation. He’s the very best sprinter of all instances, and I’m glad to welcome Mark in Astana Qazaqstan Staff.
“Mark nonetheless has a giant need to win and we’re going to assist this sense with all our forces in all type of races.”
‘The arrival of a high sprinter is a problem for us’
Cavendish’s last-minute signing for Astana Qazaqstan will see him be a part of a squad which has gained all three Grand Excursions however whose line-up at present has a obtrusive lack of stage racing leaders.
Already critically depleted after Vincenzo Nibali retired on the finish of this season, the sacking of Miguel Angel López due to alleged connections to a health care provider below investigation for doping, had left the Astana workforce bereft of skilled high-profile racers.
Cees Bol was additionally understood to have joined Astana Qazaqstan as a part of the deal, though there was no official phrase from the workforce that the Dutch sprinter, who was additionally sure for B&B Resorts, is now a part of the squad.
“The arrival of a high sprinter in our workforce is type of a problem for us, however we’re prepared for it. We see new methods and new prospects,” Vinokourov mentioned.
“The objectives nonetheless are nonetheless the identical – victories in any type of race: Classics, levels in several stage races and, in fact, within the Grand Excursions.”
Cavendish will use a Wilier Triestina bike in 2023 after two seasons on a Specialised at QuickStep-AlphaVinyl. In response to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport (opens in new tab), the Gastaldelli household, the homeowners of Wilier Triestina, had been instrumental in offering a part of the additional funding wanted to carry Cavendish to Astana.
Affirmation of Cavendish’s transfer to Astana Qazaqstan follows months of hypothesis about his future after Soudal-QuickStep designated Fabio Jakobsen as their number-one sprinter for 2023 and likewise went on to signal Tim Merlier from Alpecin-Deceunink.
The French B&B Resorts mission, doubtlessly with a number of big-name sponsors on board and with Cavendish becoming a member of as workforce chief, had been introduced on the final day of the 2022 Tour. However the sponsors had been by no means confirmed and workforce supervisor Jérôme Pineau was compelled to admit the mission wouldn’t occur in early December, leaving riders and workers scrambling to search out different groups.
Rumours that Cavendish may signal for Ineos Grenadiers, Israel-Premier Tech or Human Powered Well being all gained floor after which fizzled out, however lastly Astana Qazaqstan have proved to be the Briton’s possibility for the ninth skilled workforce of his profession.
