Astana Qazaqstan has announced that Mark Renshaw will join the team as a sprint consultant for the Tour de France, where he will reunite with his former leadout partner Mark Cavendish. Renshaw said he gave up other plans for July to help Cavendish make history.
Cavendish is aiming to break the record for the most stage wins at the Tour, which he currently shares with Eddy Merckx at 34. One more win would put the Manxman at the top of the list.
To assist him in this challenge, Astana Qazaqstan has hired Renshaw, who was Cavendish’s trusted leadout man for many years and helped him achieve some of his most memorable victories, including six in 2009 when they both rode for Columbia HTC.
The duo raced together at HTC Highroad, Etixx Quick-Step and Dimension Data, before Renshaw retired in 2019. Cavendish is still racing and won his first – and so far only – race of the season at the Giro d’Italia in May, where he claimed the final stage in Rome. He just needs one more chance like that to become the all-time stage winner.
“I am delighted to be back at the Tour de France with Astana Qazaqstan Team and Mark Cavendish as a sprint and lead-out consultant,” Renshaw said in a statement from Astana.
“I had a great conversation with Alexandr Vinokurov and my former teammate Dmitriy Fofonov and I am eager to use my skills and expertise to help the team pursue success.
“Our objective is to win sprint stages and I am happy to share my knowledge and experience as a lead-out rider and a teammate of Mark Cavendish.”
Renshaw added: “Mark’s win at the Giro d’Italia shows that he still has the speed, power and determination to win stages at Grand Tours. I am confident that he can do it again at this year’s Tour de France with the support of Astana Qazaqstan Team and their talented riders.
“I cancelled other jobs in July because I believe in him. I am looking forward to working with the team’s Sports Directors to plan effective tactics and strategies, as I love analysing and breaking down sprint stages.
“Mark has already had a successful career, but I am excited to have the chance to help him end it on a high note and chase his 35th win at the Grand Boucle.”
Cavendish wrote on Instagram: “I am so excited about this…. We have so many years of experience, victories and memories together, and Mark has an amazing analytical view on sprinting. He knows how my legs and mind work better than anyone. I and everyone at Astana are proud and happy to have you on board mate.”
This content was originally published here.
