Cavendish has to leave Quick Step: "Will not stay"

"He won't stay. I don't think it's possible. It hurts my heart," said Patrick Lefevere, team boss of Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl the Italian sports newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.

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At some point, the time will come to say thank you for everything he has done for the team, said the Belgian: "I know that he wants to ride for another two years, but he is not part of our project." Lefevere had presented a five-year deal with a new co-sponsor, and the team will be called Soudal-Quick Step from 2023.

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Cavendish had returned to Lefevere's team in 2021 and found his old strength there. The British former world champion won four stages at the Tour last year, equalling legend Eddy Merckx's record of 34 stage wins.

The 37-year-old was not nominated this year, with Quick Step opting for the Dutch sprinter instead Fabio Jakobsenwho already one stage won.

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