It’s the time of year where teams that haven’t performed up to expectations start to lose sponsors and are fighting for their lives. This year, the situation has been compounded by an economic downturn, a deadly virus, and social conflict across the globe. Two team that may not make it through it all are CCC and NTT.
CCC appears to be the most vulnerable, having already seen most of its best riders sign elsewhere for 2021. New NTT head Riis has been coy and seems to suggest he has something up his sleeves, but that team lacks true star power and doesn’t have many riders that truly excite fans right now. Add to this that, unlike other years, I haven’t heard of groups or continental teams that are waiting in the wings to pounce on an opportunity to join the World Tour.
Given the circumstances, could we really see two teams just completely drop out of the World Tour without replacements? Would that be good or bad for the sport from a competition standpoint if it happens? What say you?
CCC appears to be the most vulnerable, having already seen most of its best riders sign elsewhere for 2021. New NTT head Riis has been coy and seems to suggest he has something up his sleeves, but that team lacks true star power and doesn’t have many riders that truly excite fans right now. Add to this that, unlike other years, I haven’t heard of groups or continental teams that are waiting in the wings to pounce on an opportunity to join the World Tour.
Given the circumstances, could we really see two teams just completely drop out of the World Tour without replacements? Would that be good or bad for the sport from a competition standpoint if it happens? What say you?