Mark Cavendish offered one-year deal for 2024 – could he U-turn on ...

Astana-Qazaqstan have asked Mark Cavendish to delay his retirement and return to the Tour de France in 2024 – but is it a realistic possibility?

But Astana boss Alexander Vinokourov has already begun a charm offensive and is hoping to convince the 38-year-old to race again next season.

"I myself suffered a fractured femur in 2011 on the Tour and it was supposed to be my last year but I didn't want to stop just like that.

"I stayed on and fought hard to win the Olympic Games in London the following year. Mark has the same mentality and the same determination to achieve his ultimate goal. We're ready to give him that opportunity. But it's up to him."

Over on The Breakaway ahead of Stage 9, Cavendish's good friend Adam Blythe said he "wouldn't be surprised" if he returned for another crack at the Tour in 2024, while Robbie McEwen urged him to think long and hard before making a final decision to retire.

"I can't imagine he would [delay retirement] but it’s Mark Cavendish, I wouldn't be surprised if he did say 'yeah go on then, I'll give it another year'," said Blythe.

"I think the way this has finished, the dedication, the time away from the family, his kids especially, I can't imagine he'll want to do another year and having to go through all that again.

"Because that [crashing] could happen on day one next year as well. It's a lot of time you have to invest in ifs and buts."

"The lure of getting to next year's Tour and getting that stage… The crash could happen again next year, but he could win too. And you're a long time retired. You've got one chance to keep going," said McEwen.

"If he says 'I'm done', that is it. That's the rest of your life, you're retired for a long, long time.

"He should take the time to really consider it, not just make a one-day decision."

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