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After a month of hyperlinks with the Kazakhstani crew, Mark Cavendish appears to be like all set to be transferring to Astana Qazaqstan for the 2023 season after he was noticed with a crew automobile in Spain.
The British sprinter has been all however formally confirmed as becoming a member of the crew for the upcoming season, although no announcement has but been made about his future. Hyperlinks have continued since crew boss Alexandre Vinokourov advised Cyclingnews that he was considering signing Cavendish.
The most recent information within the saga got here on Friday with a photograph taken by a fan at Alicante airport exhibiting Cavendish loading baggage into an Astana crew automobile.
Taken late on Friday night time, the picture is the newest affirmation that the Manxman could be racing for Astana this 12 months, although the biking world continues to be ready for the crew to announce his signature.
Cavendish had been all set to maneuver to the French B&B Inns-KTM squad after leaving QuickStep, although the crew’s sponsorship troubles ultimately led to its collapse, which means the 37-year-old was among the many dozens of riders and nonetheless left scrambling for brand new employment.
In mid-December, Vinokorouv advised Cyclingnews that he phoned Cavendish when he heard the B&B crew 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 similar time Astana had been holding a coaching camp within the space.
Social media pictures confirmed Cavendish using a team-issue Willier bike, and he was noticed at Astana’s resort, 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 crew presentation and crew picture on the flip of the 12 months, although the picture was probably taken in 2022 earlier than Cavendish grew to become accessible.
Astana’s announcement of Cavendish’s signing now appears to be like to be days away, nonetheless, with the rider wanting set to hyperlink up with the crew as soon as once more at their new-year coaching camp.
In current days, Cavendish has been within the courtroom again in England, giving proof alongside along with his spouse Peta on the trial of a number of males accused of a violent theft at his Essex house in November 2021. The trial is about to conclude ni the approaching week.
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