Mark Cavendish has joined Astana for a 2023 campaign in which he will be hoping to make history at the Tour de France.

Legendary sprinter Cavendish left Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl last year, but the Brit will continue his illustrious career with Kazakh team Astana.

The 37-year-old from the Isle of Man was not selected for the 2022 Tour de France, denying him the opportunity to surpass a record tally of 34 stage wins in the most prestigious Grand Tour race that he shares with the great Eddy Merckx.

Cavendish will have high hopes of taking the record outright this year with his new team.

The pictures you were waiting for… @MarkCavendish #AstanaQazaqstanTeam pic.twitter.com/wbODn7Yj4E
— Astana Qazaqstan Team (@AstanaQazTeam) January 17, 2023

He said: "I am really excited for this adventure. I raced with Alexandr Vinokurov for many years, and now I'm racing with his two boys!

"I remember when they were children the same age as my own, dreaming to be bike racers.

"Astana is going to be a great place to be successful, with a strong team led by Alexandr, a champion on the bike and a gentleman off the bike.

"I've enjoyed a long career already, but the joy of riding my bike and the hunger to continue winning are as bright as ever.

"So I'm looking forward to being part of a successful team, whether working with the team for wins, crossing the line first myself, or cheering on my team-mates. As always, the objective will be for us to stand on the top podium."

While Cavendish was overlooked for the Tour de France, he was able to win the Milano-Torino as well as Giro d'Italia, Tour of Oman and UAE Tour stages.