French newspaper Ouest France reported Monday that Mark Cavendish has reached a provisional agreement with the B&B Hotels-KTM team for a one-year contract for 2023 with an option for another 12 months, "unless there is a change in circumstances."

Since reports of the team's interest in the Englishman date back to mid-July, such a deal would allow the 37-year-old Cavendish to race a record 35th Tour de France stage in 2023 and continue through 2024 if he fails to win next summer meaning that he will be able to continue until 2024 if he fails to win next summer. At the same time, Dutch specialist website Wielerflits (opens in new tab) claimed that Amazon France, not Carrefour as had been rumored, would be the new sponsor of the French professional team.

The Brit will leave Quick Step Alpha Vinyl at the end of this year after not competing in the Tour de France this July, but his options for 2023 have not yet fully emerged.

In August, B&B Hotels-KTM team boss Jérôme Pinault said the chances of the Manxman joining the team are currently "50-50."

This weekend, Cavendish heavily hinted via social media that something had been decided about his future, writing on Instagram (opens in new tab), "It's the off-season.

"But I don't want to give up my bike too soon, because next year is a big year.

According to the same report in Ouest France (open in new tab), other contracts for 2023 include Ramon Schinkeldam (Groupama-FDJ), Nick Schulz (Bike Exchange), Cees Bol (DSM), Neo Pro's Florian Dorfan, and experienced lead-out man Maximiliano Richeze (UAE).

B&B Hotels-KTM is expected to significantly raise its profile in 2023, as the French capital city aims to become an important new player in the cycling world by lending its name to a UCI pro team in 2023.

The project would reportedly expand the current pro teams to both men's and women's teams, as well as create an academy for young riders, although specific figures for the new budget are not yet available. On Monday, Ouest France proposed about 15 million euros per year.

B&B Hotels-KTM told Cycling News that it denies "all this information" published in Ouest France and stated that it has no intention of making any further comments at this time.

The various rumors and counter-rumors are expected to be put to rest at the B&B Hotels-KTM press conference scheduled for October 26 in Paris, the day before the Tour de France; it is widely expected that new contracts and team plans for 2023 will be confirmed.