Greg Van Avermaet considering transfer as CCC Team lose main sponsor

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 (opens in new tab): “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.

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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.