Mark Cavendish signs for Astana-Qazaqstan and will remain on the WorldTour for 2023
The transfer saga is over, Mark Cavendish has officially found a team, and will chase the Tour de France stage win record
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- (opens in new tab)
- Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter

On the day that the new WorldTour season began, Astana-Qazaqstan has confirmed the signing of British road champion and illustrious sprinter Mark Cavendish on a one year contract.
The team first posted a cryptic photo of the British champion on their Twitter in what is clearly a team jersey, before releasing a full statement half an hour later.
As a result, the 37-year-old will continue on the WorldTour in 2023, where his main objective is likely to be surpassing the all-time record for the number of Tour de France stage wins.
The tweet all but confirmed it, before a full statement was released. "Still waiting" the team said alongside a photo of Cavendish in a British national champion's Astana jersey.
His contract is for just 2023, according to the squad. No news on the status of leadout man Cees Bol has been released.
Cavendish said the "hunger to continue winning" was "as bright as ever".
"I am really excited for this adventure," he said in a press release. "I raced with Alexandr Vinokurov for many years, and now I’m racing with his 2 boys! I remember when they were children the same age as my own, dreaming to be bike racers. 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.
"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."
The Kazakh team freed a space in their squad last month when they terminated the contract of Colombian climber Miguel Ángel López, citing his “probable connection” to a doctor under investigation in a doping case.
Vinokourov, the team's general manager, said that they would support him with "all our forces".
"Well, Mark Cavendish doesn’t need any presentation," he said. "He is the best sprinter of all times, and I am happy to welcome Mark in Astana Qazaqstan Team. The arrival of a top sprinter in our team is kind of challenge for us, but we are ready for it. We see new ways and new possibilities.
"The goals however are still the same – victories in any kind of race: Classics, stages in different stage races and, of course, in the Grand Tours. Mark still has a big desire to win and we are going to support this feeling with all our forces in all kind of races."
Cavendish, who knew as early as July that he would not have his contract renewed at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, has been heavily linked with a number of top-level teams in recent months.
Still waiting? pic.twitter.com/rZz1YWeoT1January 17, 2023
The strongest rumours were with French outfit B&B Hôtels-KTM, but following the team’s collapse in December, the sprinter looked to be without a contract for 2023.
Though Astana-Qazaqstan have not historically built their squad around a sprinter, signing Cavendish gives the team a unique chance at making history. Currently, the Manxman is tied with Eddy Merckx on a record 34 Tour de France stage wins. Should he claim another victory next July, he’ll become the sole, all-time record holder.
Speaking after winning his second British national title in June, Cavendish said: “Can you imagine winning a 35th Tour de France stage in the British champion's jersey? It'd be really beautiful."
Cavendish has raced on WorldTour teams since 2009, notably riding for HTC-Columbia, Team Sky, Quick Step and Dimension Data. Over the course of his career, the Brit has taken part in 21 Grand Tours, claiming over 160 career victories, including the Road World Championships in 2011.
Astana-Qazaqstan will be Cavendish's sixth team at the sport’s highest professional level.
The Kazakh team, managed by former pro Vinokourov, have been involved in a number of doping scandals since their inception in 2007. Vinokourov himself tested positive for blood doping at the 2007 Tour de France and was dealt a one-year ban.
Former team leader Alberto Contador was also stripped of the 2010 Tour de France title he won in the team’s colours, after he returned a positive result for the banned substance clenbuterol.
Last week, Cavendish was photographed by a fan at Alicante airport as he loaded luggage into an Astana team car, and in December, Vinokorouv told Cyclingnews (opens in new tab) that he phoned Cavendish when he heard the B&B team was in trouble.
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom is one of Cycling Weekly's news and features writers. In 2020, he started The TT Podcast, covering both the men's and women's pelotons and featuring a number of British riders.
An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.
He's also fluent in French and Spanish and holds a master's degree in International Journalism.
-
-
Power vs aerodynamics: what is the best balance and how can I achieve it?
Watts and aerodynamics are two cornerstones of our cycling performance - but favoring only one will see you going slower than a more balanced approach. Here’s our guide to better optimising your speed
By Andy Turner • Published
-
Even Wout van Aert can lose his nerve: Five things we learned from the CX World Championships
Even with the absence of Tom Pidcock on the world stage, British cyclo-cross is in a good place
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
In photos: Mark Cavendish through the years, all his teams and kits
18 years, six teams, 161 wins. Will 2023 be a last hurrah for the British champion?
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CW Live: Mark Cavendish to start season at Oman; Giro wildcards unveiled; UCI updates Covid rules; Amsterdam builds underwater garage for 7,000 bikes; Cavendish family 'terrorised' by robbery; and LTNs do not push traffic onto boundary roads
All the news you need in the world of cycling this Thursday. It's cold!
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Last chance saloon: Why has Mark Cavendish ended up at Astana? And will it work?
The British champion has joined the sixth different team of his professional career in the hunt for one more Tour de France stage win
By Adam Becket • Published
-
CW LIVE: Mark Cavendish threatened with knife in home robbery; Israel-Premier Tech and Uno-X receive wildcard invites to the Tour de France; Sonny Colbrelli looking to enter politics and concerns raised over Van Aert and Van der Poel appearance fees
All the latest news from the world of cycling
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
CW Live: Van der Poel and Pieterse win Herentals CX; Mark Cavendish still not at Astana; Lizzie Deignan awarded MBE; 1.7% of bike theft cases result in a charge; Egan Bernal targets Tour de France return?
Happy new year from Cycling Weekly, here's everything you need to know this Tuesday
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
CW Live: Mark Cavendish reportedly set to sign for Astana; Tom Pidcock smashes Sa Calobra KOM; London cycle lane gritting row; Ineos Grenadiers release new kit; Mathieu van der Poel 'scared' on Val di Sole snow; Lotto-Dstny skipping Giro d'Italia
All the news in the world of cycling you need to read
By Adam Becket • Last updated
-
Is Mark Cavendish heading to Astana?
The Manx Missile has been heavily linked to Astana since the departure of their GC rider Miguel Ángel López
By Adam Hart • Published
-
CW LIVE: Lance Armstrong poses with Jan Ullrich in LA; Mark Cavendish to Human Powered Health?; Have your say about bikes on trains; Australia names riders of the year; How to brace for the Covid surge; Kafka-inspired bike design
All the latest cycling news, as it happens
By Tom Davidson • Last updated