Mark Cavendish tried unsuccessfully to pull his former coach out of Soudal Quickstep.

The British sprinter returned to Quick Step in 2021 and began working with Vassilis Anastopoulos, dramatically reviving his career.

Cavendish left Quick Step after the 2022 season, officially without a team. He had originally planned to join the now-defunct B&B Hotels team, but recently agreed to a contract with Astana Kazakstan.

According to Cyclingnews, Cavendish wanted to keep Anastopoulos in his corner in 2023. Anastopoulos had expressed interest and was considering adding him to Astana's coaching staff before the turn of the year.

However, despite seeming to be moving forward, the move fell through, and Anastopoulos will remain at Sourdal Quickstep for 2023.

The team confirmed at a team presentation event in Belgium on Friday that the Greek is a full-time staff member for 2023.

A disappointing result for Cavendish, who has waxed lyrical about Anastopoulos' influence over the past two years.

"If only I had met him 10 years ago ...... said the Manxman in an interview with Procycling magazine at the end of 2021. 'He is with me every pedal turn. He's very passionate and gives me a lot to work with."

Similarly, Anastopoulos himself emphasized the strength of their relationship in 2021's The Telegraph. He is not just a rider anymore. He is not just a rider anymore.

Cavendish did not compete in the 2022 Tour de France, but he did win five races, including a stage win at the Giro d'Italia and the British national title. He was aiming to take the Tour de France stage win record outright as the end of his career and agreed to spearhead an expansion project for B&B Hotels, but appears to have found a place in Astana after it ultimately collapsed.

The move has not yet been made official, but a tentative contract was signed in mid-December, and Cavendish joined the team in Spain after training camp.