"Cav approaches the sport differently from the rest of the peloton": Lead-out saw Astana transform thanks to the Brit

Astana is gearing up for the 2025 season, but without sprinter Mark Cavendish, the team’s dynamic will inevitably change. With Cavendish no longer in the lineup, the team enters a new chapter, adjusting its focus and setting fresh goals for the year ahead. Speaking to IDLProCycling.com, Cavendish's former lead-out rider, Dutchman Cees Bol, shared insights into his personal ambitions and the team’s expectations for the 2025 season.

The 29-year-old Bol, who became a father for the first time this winter, is entering his third season with XDS Astana, and saw plenty fellow Dutch countrymen join the team since then. Did Bol have to play the role of guide during the team’s first training camp in December?

"All in all, not too much. These guys are all pros and not shy about speaking up. But it’s nice to have them here. It makes things easier, and it takes less energy to express yourself in your native language," said the fast-riding Bol.

Read more below the photo!

Bol saw Astana change: "Of the riders who were here when I joined, only five are still around"

This dynamic is just a small part of the changes Astana has undergone in recent years. "The team has definitely changed a lot. Of the riders who were here when I joined in 2023, only five are still around. That’s a massive shift in the roster. Even within the staff, we’ve noticed some new influences."

The team has seen a decrease in Kazakh riders, with Italians now making up a large portion of the roster. "That Italian influence was already strong, so the culture hasn’t changed much. That’s one of the nice things about cycling: you join a team, and you just have to work with people from all over the world. That mix carries over to the dinner table, the hotel room, or wherever," Bol explained.

For Bol, the biggest change to his race schedule is the absence of Mark Cavendish. "This season will be different from last year, but my 2023 schedule was fairly similar. With Cavendish, there was a bit more variety, and that’s not the case now. Last year, nearly everything up to the Tour was focused on Cavendish, except for the classics. This year, the focus will be a bit different again."

Read more below the photo!

Bol reflects on the Cavendish era: "He opened some doors for us"

As part of Cavendish’s lead-out train, Bol helped the team write cycling history during the Tour de France. "It’s a historic moment, but it doesn’t really feel like that. It was more that we had a great group around Cav. With Michael, Mark, Ballerini, me, and a few other guys, we had that unique goal. Seeing the payoff up close was pretty special. For yourself, it’s a big moment, but it’s the same for other wins. The difference here was how much bigger it was for everyone else."

What did Bol learn from the experience? "You pick up a thing or two. Cav approaches the sport in a unique way, very differently from the rest of the peloton. It’s not as simple as it might look from the outside. He’s a great champion, and with that comes pressure, especially in years when sponsors were counting on wins from him. To keep that up for so long, that takes a lot."

Bol speaks with clear respect for the Brit. "Cavendish opened some doors for us. He brought people into the team and showed what could be achieved at Astana. Many riders and staff now look at Astana differently than they did four years ago," Bol said.

Read more below the photo!

Bol: "I’ll get more opportunities"

What does Cavendish’s departure mean for Bol personally? "Normally, I’ll get more chances, but it’s not like I’m going to ride a full WorldTour sprint program," Bol clarified. "That wouldn’t suit me, and I don’t want that. We’ve got a good schedule with a mix of lots of semi-classics and stage races. You can think of races like Nokere, Denain, Bredene, and maybe Tro Bro Leon. It’s not set in stone, but I’ll definitely do a few."

"This isn’t a big adjustment for me. Throughout my career, I’ve always had a mix of lead-out duties and sprinting for myself. I’m just glad the team is on the same page when it comes to what races suit me," Bol added. He’s not one to make big demands. "I’m flexible and can take on multiple roles. I’m also more relaxed about it than I was four or five years ago. I know I wouldn’t enjoy races like the UAE Tour, so it’s great that the team takes that into account. There are plenty of races on the calendar where I can have a go."

Read also

Vanthourenhout worried about mental impact on unlucky Evenepoel and Van Aert: "Is this the breaking point?"

Case against Rohan Dennis postponed until April 14: Former Visma | Lease a Bike rider faces 7 years in prison

Jorgenson warns Pogacar: "No guarantees, and our climbing train is stronger than last Tour"

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe