One of the iconic sprint duos of recent years, Michael Morkov and Mark Cavendish will be reunited in 2024 as the pair take on one final campaign together for the Astana Qazaqstan Team before Cavendish's retirement.
'The Manx Missile' had initially announced his retirement for the end of 2023, but after crashing out of the Tour de France, Cavendish has returned for another chance at a record-breaking 35th stage win at the Tour. According to Morkov, it didn't take long for the Brit to have second thoughts following his Tour de France abandonment.
“The day after he crashed in the Tour, my phone was ringing,” Morkov has recalled in conversation with Velo from an Astana Qazaqstan Team training camp. “I looked at my phone and it was him, and I knew already what he wanted to do.”
“It was a nice phone call,” Morkov explains further. “I said to him, ‘I know why you are calling.’ He is sitting there in the hospital making a list of everything he needed. He was already super-motivated and that motivated me.”
With Morkov joining the likes of Cees Bol and Davide Ballerini in the sprint train, Cavendish is well placed for a run at more Tour de France history in the summer. “In the end, it’s a matter of trust,” Morkov says. “Mark has a huge confidence in me. He trusts that me and the team will bring into position to where he can do his sprint. He knows if he takes advantage of me and the team around, he has a great chance to win.”
“A lot of people will watch the Tour to see if Cavendish can win one more stage,” he concludes. “In the bunch, most riders would like it if he can win. Everyone is a fan of Cavendish, he is like a legend riding around. I am sure nobody will brake to let him win, but I am sure a lot of guys will be happy to see him win. If you like cycling, it’s a big game.”
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