Ink dry: Mark Cavendish switches to Astana

Cycling star Mark Cavendish has found a new team. The Kazakh racing team Astana Qazaqstan Team confirmed the signing of the sprinter, confirming rumours that had been circulating for weeks.

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Hanging game over Mark Cavendish's transfer

Cavendish was without an employer after the end of his contract with Quick-Step and the dissolution of the French team B&B Hotels. Astana had separated from Colombian climbing specialist Miguel Angel Lopez, who was involved in doping investigations, in December and thus created space in the squad. The former 2011 world champion now occupies this space.

Cavendish wants record at Tour de France

"I already have a long career behind me, but I still enjoy cycling and am hungry for victories. The goal will always be to stand on the top step of the podium," said the 37-year-old.

Photos of Cavendish loading his luggage into an Astana team car at Alicante airport had already surfaced last week. The team is holding a training camp in Spain. Team boss Alexander Vinokourov had already confirmed in December that he had made contact with Cavendish. The only thing missing was official confirmation.

This means that the former world champion can set a record in this year's Tour de France. So far, Cavendish and Belgian cycling icon Eddy Merckx are tied with 34 stage wins at the Tour.

>> Tour de France 2023: This is the route

Last year, Cavendish missed out on the world's most important cycling race and his team nominated Dutchman Fabio Jakobsen instead.

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