Mark Cavendish to leave Quick-Step
Patrick Lefevere confirms the former world champ is not on 2023 squad
Quick-Step AlphaVinyl boss Patrick Lefevere has made official what many suspected was coming: Mark Cavendish is leaving the team. On Sunday, the team revealed its new look for 2023, taking the Soudal sponsor from the Lotto squad, and to be known in 2023 as Soudal-Quick-Step.
From 2023…
It’s Soudal – Quick-Step ?
Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/G5sAj4oHKv
— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) July 11, 2022
He told Gazzetta dello Sport that there will not be a spot for Cav. “He will not stay, I think not, it is not possible. It hurts my heart,” Lefevere said “I would like this but every now and then the time comes to say thank you for everything he has done for the team and I hope vice versa. I know he wants to race for anothr two year.
“It is not part of our project,” he said.
Fans were shocked when the Belgian team left out the Manx Missile, who many hoped would try and beat the all-time Tour stage win record of 34. He currently shares that record with the great Eddy Merckx. When Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl announced its TdF squad, the newly-crowned British national champion Mark Cavendish was notiecably absent. The team instead pinned its hopes on Fabio Jackobsen, who took the second stage in Denmark, from Roskilde to Nyborg.
The Tour organizers sassed Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl hard for not bringing Cavendish
The Soudal sponsorship is a long-term commitment. “This is the first time in my career I can announce a five-year partnership,” Lefevere said. That’s why I am still here and not retired yet.”
It is expected the British rider will announce a new team soon, given his fine form. But as of now, nothing has been announced officially.
