[Rashadabd]

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?

 

[Rashadabd]

Here’s a couple of articles to get you up to speed if you haven’t been following the drama.

https://www.velonews.com/news/road/van-avermaet-departure-raises-questions-about-ccc-future/


https://www.cyclingnews.com/amp/new...t-about-ntt-sponsor-search-at-tour-de-france/

 

[Rashadabd]

Here’s the latest on transfer activity which adds to the picture. Arkea Samsic and Total Direct Energie appear to have the rosters that are best poised to make a jump up a level if the opportunity is there.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/the-cyclingnews-guide-to-2020-2021-rider-transfers/

 

[KoroninK]

NTT no idea, but I'll be surprised if CCC survives.

As for licenses, they are now on a 2 year license AND they are trying to cut the number of WT licenses to 16. No new WT teams next year unless someone can buy the license of a current team that is folding.

 

[Rashadabd]

NTT no idea, but I'll be surprised if CCC survives.

As for licenses, they are now on a 2 year license AND they are trying to cut the number of WT licenses to 16. No new WT teams next year unless someone can buy the license of a current team that is folding.

Yeah, I knew they have been trying to reduce the number of WT teams for a couple of years now. I am just trying to think through how that might impact the sport. It will definitely mean less opportunities for riders and staff, but maybe it’s ultimately a good thing with sponsors tightening their budgets.

 

[KoroninK]

Yeah, I knew they have been trying to reduce the number of WT teams for a couple of years now. I am just trying to think through how that might impact the sport. It will definitely mean less opportunities for riders and staff, but maybe it’s ultimately a good thing with sponsors tightening their budgets.

Less WT teams will mean more wild card invites for races.

 

[Rashadabd]

It looks like things may be over for NTT. Douglas Ryder will no longer be invovled after this season and the title sponsor officially notified riders they were pulling out. Not looking good unless some Danish sponsors step in. That will likely make it a totally different team though. Sad....

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ntt-pro-cycling-to-lose-title-sponsor-at-end-of-2020/

 

[coldash]

It’s not good when teams fold but the point about more wild card invites is valid. These team, especially the Giro and Vuelta, stir stages up with bold and sometimes successful breakaways. Every cloud etc etc

 

[Rashadabd]

It’s not good when teams fold but the point about more wild card invites is valid. These team, especially the Giro and Vuelta, stir stages up with bold and sometimes successful breakaways. Every cloud etc etc

I hear ya, but this particular team was helping with the development of riders on an entire continent. It's a pretty big loss for the sport in the grand scheme of things in my opinion. Wildcards just aren't the same. Hopefully something works out for the riders and Africa cycling whether it is with NTT or not.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ne...be-lifeline-for-african-cycling-says-thomson/

 

[KoroninK]

NTT leaving due to the charity part is sad. Sponsors appear to be getting harder to find, and Covid isn't helping.

 

[coldash]

Fair point about the NTT charitable aspects being lost. I would like to see more done to improve participation from not just Africa but also the Middle East (including women’s cycling) and many others

Maybe / hopefully something will materialise

 

[VictorHayes]

Fair point about the NTT charitable aspects being lost. I would like to see more done to improve participation from not just Africa but also the Middle East (including women’s cycling) and many others

Maybe / hopefully something will materialise

bro it is capitalism's fault
if all people on the planet received exactly, then everything would be different

 

[Rashadabd]

Fair point about the NTT charitable aspects being lost. I would like to see more done to improve participation from not just Africa but also the Middle East (including women’s cycling) and many others

Maybe / hopefully something will materialise

I agree. The CCC license was purchased today.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ci...inuum-sports-and-move-into-worldtour-in-2021/

 

[Rashadabd]

It looks like that might be all she wrote for NTT....

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riis-its-not-realistic-that-ntt-pro-cycling-will-be-saved/

 

[KoroninK]

It looks like that might be all she wrote for NTT....

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/riis-its-not-realistic-that-ntt-pro-cycling-will-be-saved/

As sad as this sounds I'm more surprised it's only 2 teams that are disappearing at the end of the season.

 

[Rashadabd]

As sad as this sounds I'm more surprised it's only 2 teams that are disappearing at the end of the season.

Yeah and CCC was actually able to sell their license. It definitely could have been worse.

 

[Rashadabd]

Some insight into how these teams folding has impacted individual riders and the market for pro cyclists.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/va...ill-on-the-market-as-season-draws-to-a-close/

 

[Rashadabd]

Happy to report that NTT might be back in the game:

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ho...-as-ryder-very-close-to-securing-new-sponsor/

 

[Rashadabd]

NTT may ride on thanks to Assos.

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/assos-help-save-doug-ryders-worldtour-team/

Update: They made it. The new team name is Team Qhubeka Assos and here's a little video to celebrate their journey and vision.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f173FH_wEx0

 

[aclinjury]

NTT, now Qhubeka Assos, is running on an 8 mil Euros budget. Seems like it's only a matter of time until it'll die.