Mark Cavendish and Astana Qazaqstan Team 'close to find an agreement'

The signs become clearer and it is possible that Mark Cavendish will end up finding a position within the World Tour in 2023. Recent intel suggests the Manxman could be on the verge of signing for Astana Qazaqstan Team.

Cavendish was ready to join B&B Hotels-KTM this coming season alongside Cees Bol and leadout men Max Richeze and Ramon Sinkeldam. In a French team, his presence at the Tour de France would virtually be assured, however the plans collapsed in the last month and a half.

Human Powered Health and Astana Qazaqstan Team emerged as prime contenders for his signing, but the latter seems to have the upper hand.

Unlike the American team, Astana have a presence at the Tour certain. The budget recently freed up due to Miguel Ángel López' contract termination had the Kazakh team as a possible new home for Cavendish. Gazzetta dello Sport's Ciro Scognamiglio reports having talked to a cycling agent, and they "seem close to find an agreement for 2023".

Following the collapse of B&B Hotels, Astana team manager Alexander Vinokourov said that "I gave him a phone call saying if he was free then we could talk... For the moment, nothing is decided. Now it's up to his people to take a step forward. I hope so."