Mark Cavendish has not yet confirmed his team for next season, and when the lights came on at the Palais des Congrès after the announcement of the 2023 Tour de France route, the topic was not discussed.

"I'm here to talk about the Tour de France and the Tour de France Fam," Cavendish said cautiously.

Cavendish had been favored to join Jérôme Pinault's B&B Hotels in 2023, but the team canceled a press conference this week that was scheduled to take place in Paris on the eve of the Tour. Pinault has since assured that the team will soon resolve the issue and register with the UCI for 2023.

But while it remains to be seen which team Cavendish will be with in 2023, the Manxman has a clear idea of where he wants to race.

"The Tour de France is the greatest bicycle race, the greatest bicycle race on the planet.

Cavendish has won a record 34 stages in the Tour, but his chances of surpassing Eddy Merckx were eliminated this July when he was not selected for Quick Step. 2023, and his continued quest for a professional team willing to sign Cavendish more or less guarantee a wildcard invitation to the Tour.

The 2023 Tour is one of the most mountainous events in recent memory, with a time trial route of only 22 km, but it can be deceiving at first glance.

"The Tour de France is always hard.

Despite a difficult start in the Basque Country and an early trek through the Pyrenees, Cavendish has given the sprinters several chances as the race unfolds.

"I think the start is the hardest I've ever had in my career. But it's exciting and I think it's going to be a good show, and things will change as the GC riders dictate things instead of settling in early on," the 37-year-old predicted,

with a boulevard finish that is over a kilometer long. It will be an exciting day."

Cavendish said: "There could be seven or eight sprint chances. Maybe seven or eight sprint chances. Real sprint chances."