Vacansoleil-DCM tell riders to find other teams after failing to find a new title sponsor
Vacansoleil-DCM have told their riders to look for other teams after failing to find a title sponsor.
Last Updated: 14/08/13 5:24pm
The Dutch squad is losing both of its current backers at the end of the 2013 campaign and fears for the team's future have been growing for several weeks as a replacement failed to materialise.
Lieuwe Westra and Kris Boeckmans have already secured deals with other teams, and now Vacansoleil-DCM general manager Daan Luijkx has instructed his other riders to do likewise.
However, he is still keen to enlist a new sponsor within the next three weeks and rebuild the team with young riders.
He said: "All stakeholders depending on the team in a way have to look after their own interest. We want everyone to find a spot and therefore we gave early signals.
"I estimate the chance on finding a sponsor for 2014 as very small. We keep trying very hard and there is a possibility if a candidate title sponsor signs before September 1.
"If so, we would use 2014 to bridge with young talented riders to a team on WorldTour level in 2015. As from 2009 we managed to build something nice from a young team and we want to do that again."
Vacansoleil-DCM have suffered a lean year in 2013, registering only eight wins, with the most high-profile being Thomas de Gendt's victory on stage seven of the Volta a Catalunya.
