Movistar shrug off Mark Cavendish signing rumours

Max Sciandri is a long-time friend of Mark Cavendish and rumours have emerged over the possibility of Cavendish joining Movistar based on that connection. The Spanish team had new budget to spend following Alejandro Valverde's retirement, and the signing of Fernando Gaviria.

With the Manxman unable to find a World Tour contract elsewhere, questions rose over the possibility of him joining Movistar, specially as he keeps putting away the rumours of his signing with B&B Hotels-KTM - which have been virtually confirmed by both local news outlets and Max Richeze who will be joining the team as a leadout man for Cavendish.

Cavendish has recently said regarding his contract that "when I know, then you'll hear it". Combined with the delay in B&B Hotels-KTM's sponsor and rider announcement, doubts began to be casted. However, Movistar Team have shrugged off the rumours on social media.

“Can we please, kindly remind everyone that we’re at 30 riders on our men’s team for 2023 and this is just the desire of Max, who has been close friends with Cav for a long time," they've replied to a post. The Spanish team has closed the chapter on that rumour, and Cavendish's signing with the French team remains to be officially confirmed.