It’s Official: Mark Cavendish Signs With Astana

It’s official, Manx Missile Mark Cavendish Signs With Team Astana Qazaqstan

Rumoured for months, it’s now official … Veteran sprint sensation Mark Cavendish will ride for the Astana Qazaqstan Team for season 2023.

Level with all-time great Eddy Merckx on 34 Tour de France stage wins, Cavendish will now have the opportunity to pass the record at the 2023 Tour. For the past few months their has been serious doubt of this being possible, with Cav remaining unsigned since his departure from Quickstep.

“I am really excited for this adventure. I raced with Alexandr Vinokurov for many years, and now I’m racing with his 2 boys,” said Cavendish, the current British National Champion and former World Champion.

“Astana Qazaqstan Team is going to be a great place to be successful, with a strong team led by Alexandr, a champion on the bike and a gentleman off the bike,” continued Cav.

Cavendish preparing for his first official training ride with his new team.

“I’ve enjoyed a long career already, but the joy of riding my bike and the hunger to continue winning are as bright as ever. So I’m looking forward to being part of a successful team, whether working with the team for wins, crossing the line first myself, or cheering on my teammates. As always, the objective will be for us to stand on the top podium.’\”

Now aged 37, Cavendish is one of the greatest sprinters of all times, having won the sprinter’s jersey in all three Grand Tours and being 2011 Road World Champion.

In 2022 Mark Cavendish won Milano-Torino, a stage at the Giro d’Italia, Tour of Oman and UAE Tour.