Mark Cavendish has indicated that he intends to continue racing for at least two more seasons after his contract with Quick Step-Alfa Vinyl expires at the end of this year.

In an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport magazine published Thursday, Cavendish said he is "ready" for the Tour de France. [I want to continue my career for at least two more years. 'I don't just want to keep riding my bike. I think I can fight for at least two more years. Maybe more than that, but I can be competitive for at least two more years.

Cavendish hinted at his retirement at the Ghent-Wevelgem mixed zone in October 2020, but signed a one-year contract with Quick-Step in December of that year, winning four Tour de France races, tying Eddy Merckx's record of 34 wins.

The Manxman also took the green jersey for the second time in his career, nearly a decade after winning it for the first time, but struggled to agree on a new contract with coach Patrick Lefebvre at the end of last season. Cavendish eventually signed another one-year contract with Quick Step last winter.The 36-year-old Cavendish is now represented by the SEG Agency, and the Dutch website Wielerflits recently reported that his new agent has made several World Tour teams for 2023.

Cavendish won the third stage of the Giro d'Italia at Balatonfured, but the Quick-Step sprinter is currently Fabio Jacobsen; a year ago, after Sam Bennett left the race with an injury, Cavendish belatedly made the Tour member of the Tour.

According to La Gazzetta, Cavendish said he is "preparing" for the Tour, but denied the idea that breaking Merckx's stage win record is a special motivation.

"The truth is this: if I win one more, I'll be happy. If I win 10 more times, I'll be happy. I'll be happy if I win 10 more times," Cavendish said.

"Of course I would love to [compete in the Tour de France], but I am a professional and I have always been a professional. Of course I want to be in the Tour de France. But it's not up to me. I just do my job."