Greg Van Avermaet is considering a transfer as CCC Team are due to lose their main sponsor at the end of the year.
Polish shoe company CCC has been plunged into financial uncertainty due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, forcing the boss to announce that there wasn’t enough money to fund a WorldTour cycling team.
CCC joined cycling’s top tier as a sponsor in 2019, stepping in to take over the former BMC Racing team run by Jim Ochowicz.
But the planned three-year sponsorship deal has been cut short due to the global crisis, leaving Ochowicz searching for a new backer.
The team’s star rider, Greg Van Avermaet, says he hopes the team can be saved, but added that he is open to a transfer.
Van Avermaet, winner of the 2017 Paris-Roubaix, told cycling news website Wielerflits: “I hope Ochowicz finds a new sponsor, but I am also open to a transfer.
“There are many teams that are interested. My performance is still there and I was the best one-day rider in the UCI ranking last season. That reassures me for next year.”
When asked if he might consider a transfer to a Belgian WorldTour team, particularly one with a mighty reputation in the Classics, he added: “I will certainly ride for a good team. Many teams are interested.”
Van Avermaet and Ochowicz have worked together since 2011, when the Belgian star transferred to BMC Racing from Omega Pharma-Lotto.
The 35-year-old had his biggest successes with BMC, including a Tour de France stage victory in 2015 and his biggest career win, Paris-Roubaix.
After the death of team owner Andy Rihs in 2018, CCC stepped in as the main sponsor for 2019.
The change of ownership saw a number of star riders leave the team, including Richie Porte and Rohan Dennis, with Van Avermaet staying on as CCC Team’s main leader.
>>> ‘If you’re not motivated, you’ll get dropped’: What makes a pro rider a great Zwifter too?
Van Avermaet, whose contract is up at the end of 2020, says he’s not looking to leave the team immediately as he hopes a new sponsor will turn up.
-
-
Anna van der Breggen launches signature clothing collection
Double world champion adds new kit range to her list of projects in her final year as a pro
By Simon Smythe •
-
Specialized Expert Alloy Shallow bend road handlebar reviewed
Go-to handlebars if you like a curly drop
By Michelle Arthurs-Brennan •
-
Josef Černý solos away from breakaway to Giro d'Italia 2020 stage 19 victory
The Czech rider took a solo victory on the truncated stage 19
By Richard Windsor •
-
CCC Team sells WorldTour licence to Circus-Wanty Gobert
CCC Team have agreed to sell their WorldTour licence to Belgian ProTeam Circus-Wanty Gobert.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Matteo Trentin latest rider to leave CCC Team as squad’s future still looks bleak
Matteo Trentin is the latest rider to leave CCC Team as the Polish WorldTour squad is still looking for sponsorship.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
CCC Team let riders search for new contracts as still no sponsor found
CCC Team are now letting their riders search for new contracts as management have not yet found a new sponsor for 2021.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'I have no options in this team anymore': Greg Van Avermaet confirms he'll leave CCC Team
The Olympic champion has been with the team since 2011
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
CCC try to refuse leader's jersey at Tour of Poland as it isn't 'appropriate'
CCC Team tried to gift the lead to Deceuninck-Quick Step but race rules prevented that from happening.
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Rumours CCC Team may have found new sponsor with €20 million budget
Rumours are circulating that CCC Team may have found a new sponsor with a €20 million budget.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Jim Ochowicz confirms CCC will end sponsorship at end of season
The hunt is now on to find a new financial backer
By Jonny Long •
