"I’ve got a big year next year" - Mark Cavendish hints at bright 2023

Mark Cavendish has had a very mixed 2022. Despite some quality wins and a title in the national championships, his main goal of the year - the Tour de France - has not come to light as Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team decided to protect Fabio Jakobsen's ambitions. Now, in search of a contract for the coming season, the Manxman teases his future.

“It’s the off-season, I’ve finished racing but I don’t want to put the bike away too quickly as I’ve got a big year next year," he said in a recent social media post. His departure from the Belgian team was assumed for a long time, with connections reportedly not the best following his absence from the Tour. Cavendish has since raced little, almost returning to his winning ways at the recent Memorial Rik van Steenbergen where he finished second and concluded his stint in Quick-Step.

His future remains uncertain. He is unlikely to stay at World Tour level with no team having expressed clear interest in the Manxman, only with B&B Hotels-KTM clearly outlining the possibility for some months already. With an increased budget for 2023 and the possibility of riding the Tour de France, it remains the most likely card on the table.

Although relatively quiet for now in the market, the French team is expected to sign several World Tour riders into what will be an important season, between them Cees Bol and Nick Schultz, are reported. Max Richeze has also been hinted to be a possibility for the French team, specially if a contract for Cavendish is on the table.