The lore on Mark Cavendish's final months of 2022 continues to deepen, and currently it is unknown where or even if the Manxman will continue his career as a pro cyclist. However, that should be known in the next few weeks, and rumours surge of a possible return to INEOS Grenadiers.
It is safe to say Cavendish's final and only remaining goal in cycling continues to be a record-breaking 35th win at the Tour de France. After not being selected to ride it this year with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team and relations with the team worsened, a departure was clear. Everything seemed to come together as a French team would have it's budget raised, a return to the Tour almost guaranteed, and could even sign leadout man for the sprinting legend. All seemed to be on track for 2023, until it wasn't...
He is said to have signed with B&B Hotels-KTM into the coming season, and the likes of Max Richeze and Ramon Sinkeldam were brought in too as experienced and premium leadout men. Cavendish could very likely return to the Tour and try to improve on his palmarès, but the team's financial situation took a bad turn and currently the team hangs in the balance. Even if it remains in it's current form, there certainly will not be a budget increase and the plans of keeping Cavendish onboard seem extremely unlikely.
Hence the Manxman is already in a position of seeking a contract elsewhere, as was the case at the end of 2019 - where Bahrain-McLaren eventually kept him at World Tour, however with no results to show for. A report from Velonews refers INEOS as a possibility, with the team refusing to comment on the subject, putting question marks over whether there is currently contact between the British team and Cavendish.
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