Mark Cavendish could race Giro d'Italia and Tour de France in 2023, reveals Astana Qazaqstan boss

Mark Cavendish could race at the 2023 Giro d’Italia before starting his quest for the Tour de France stage record, Astana Qazaqstan boss Alexander Vinokourov has suggested. Cavendish, 37, joined Astana Qazaqstan Team during the off-season having become a free agent, with the Tour record firmly in his sights. Ad The Brit currently has 34 stage wins at cycling’s marquee road race, level with Belgian legend Eddy Merckx.

Cavendish has been vocal about his desire to break the record and own it outright. Giro d'ItaliaThomas to alter Giro d'Italia preparation after pulling out of Volta ao Algarve due to illness15 HOURS AGO However speaking to CyclingNews at the Tour of Oman, Vinokourov said there is a chance that Cavendish does some of the Giro d’Italia, the first Grand Tour of the year. “We’ll try to win races before and then concentrate on the Giro and Tour,” Vinokourov said when asked about the possibility of Cavendish racing the Giro.

“I don’t know about going to the finish, but for preparation, winning stages is always a good motivation and it helps to arrive relaxed to the Tour. “We’ll see later, but in any case, it’s an idea and Mark is open to it. I think the more races you do, the better it is.” It is not uncommon to see sprinters participate in the first week of the Giro, before leaving to focus on the Tour and the legendary green jersey.

In terms of the rest of Cavendish’s spring schedule Vinokourov confirmed it would follow a pretty predictable pattern. “After UAE, it’s Tirreno and I think Milan-San Remo too,” Vinokourov explained. “Then he’ll do some races in Belgium.