Astana-Qazaqstan are front runners to sign Mark Cavendish for 2023 season.
Cavendish was ready to join B&B Hotels-KTM alongside leadout men Max Richeze and Ramon Sinkeldam, but the French project collapsed in the last month.
Human Powered Health and Astana emerged as prime contenders for his signing of the British sprinter, but the latter seems to have the upper hand.
Unlike the American team, Astana have a presence at the Tour de France certain. The budget recently freed up due to Miguel Angel Lopez’ 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.”
