Cavendish still hoping to race Tour de France, open to changing teams in 2023

As the Giro d'Italia takes place, Mark Cavendish has shown signs of still being able to win against some of the best sprinters in the world and due to Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl's current situation, it is possible that he will still make it to France this summer.

Team DS Brian Holm has said that "nothing is certain yet. Fabio is first on the list, but that is also because Cavendish decided quite late to sign [with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team in 2021]. We even thought for a moment that he would stop," Hold added. Sure enough a deal was made and the Briton remained in the team.

This year he has won stages at the Tour of Oman, the UAE Tour and later on Milano-Torino. He came to the Giro d'Italia with ambitions of adding to his tally and has done so by winning the third stage as the race left Hungary. With the support of Michael Morkov mainly, the Belgian team has provided him with a very strong leadout as several of the team's options for the Giro missed the start due to injuries and ilnesses.

With Julian Alaphilippe still an unknown regarding the Tour de France and Remco Evenepoel a confirmed absence, the team will be backing Fabio Jakobsen for the sprint stages and possibly the points jersey. Despite this, many rumour Cavendish could be at the start nonetheless, in order for him to battle for a record-breaking 35th win at the Tour de France.

Cavendish has said in a recent interview that he had an emotional reaction towards some comments regarding his presence at the Tour de France, and it would be unclear what his and Jakobsen's role would be in the team for the sprints. Besides, Patrick Lefevere has been very open about how he is trying to negotiate to bring a Belgian sprinter into the team - with Tim Merlier being the main name - which is a clear sign that Cavendish's future is unlikely to be prolonged with the team. Last year the same situation was close to unfolding, but the Briton re-signed with Quick-Step in December.