After a month of hyperlinks with the Kazakhstani staff, Mark Cavendish seems all set to be shifting to Astana Qazaqstan for the 2023 season after he was noticed with a staff automotive in Spain.
The British sprinter has been all however formally confirmed as becoming a member of the staff for the upcoming season, although no announcement has but been made about his future. Hyperlinks have endured since staff boss Alexandre Vinokourov instructed Cyclingnews that he was occupied with signing Cavendish.
The most recent information within the saga got here on Friday with a photograph taken by a fan at Alicante airport displaying Cavendish loading baggage into an Astana staff automotive.
Taken late on Friday evening, the picture is the newest affirmation that the Manxman can be racing for Astana this 12 months, although the biking world remains to be ready for the staff to announce his signature.
Cavendish had been all set to maneuver to the French B&B Inns-KTM squad after leaving QuickStep, although the staff’s sponsorship troubles finally led to its collapse, that means the 37-year-old was among the many dozens of riders and nonetheless left scrambling for brand spanking new employment.
In mid-December, Vinokorouv instructed Cyclingnews that he phoned Cavendish when he heard the B&B staff was in hassle, with La Gazzetta dello Sport reporting days later {that a} contract had been agreed.
There was no official information since then, although each Cavendish and out-of-contract DSM sprinter Cees Bol have been noticed in Altea, Spain on the identical time Astana had been holding a coaching camp within the space.
Social media photographs confirmed Cavendish driving a team-issue Willier bike, and he was noticed at Astana’s lodge, whereas Bol – who was additionally set to maneuver to B&B Inns – logged Strava coaching rides on the identical route as Astana riders.
Cavendish wasn’t current at Astana’s staff presentation and staff picture on the flip of the 12 months, although the picture was possible taken in 2022 earlier than Cavendish grew to become out there.
Astana’s announcement of Cavendish’s signing now seems to be days away, nevertheless, with the rider trying set to hyperlink up with the staff as soon as once more at their new-year coaching camp.
In latest days, Cavendish has been within the courtroom again in England, giving proof alongside together with his spouse Peta on the trial of a number of males accused of a violent theft at his Essex residence in November 2021. The trial is about to conclude ni the approaching week.
