B&B Hotels-KTM "have the people to back the team", manager shrugs off doubts over team's future

The presentation of B&B Hotels-KTM's new project was set for yesterday, the 26th of October. It was postponed, with a report from L'Équipe further diving into the insecurities still laying with the French team regarding it's future. Team manager Jerôme Pineau has openly talked about the delay.

“It’s in my nature always to be worried. Given the current circumstances, you’re always at risk of a rider or a sponsor making a volte-face," Pineau said in an interview with La Télégramme. “These days, it’s not easy to get a loan on a house so to get one to back a cycling team.” The team is looking to virtually double it's budget, into a whole €15 million years for the 2023 season, having it above the finances of several World Tour teams.

The city of Paris is likely to be involved. Natural gas and green energy supplier Engie is heavily hinted as the likely new title sponsor for the French team, who is having Mark Cavendish certain to be signing for the upcoming season, alongside leadout men Max Richeze and Ramon Sinkeldam, fellow sprinter Cees Bol and Nick Schultz, alongside other likely riders who are yet without a public contract for the upcoming season.

“We’re doing the work. I hope everything will fall into place quickly. I have the people to back the team. I’m in permanent contact with them. That said, when we’ve announced everything, I will be nervous the day after to know if it’ll all work out okay," Pineau continued. a new date for the team's reveal is not yet announced.

The team has also not been placed in the provisional list of teams applying for ProTeam level for the upcoming season. Pineau however reassured of the team's safety, as that of the riders. “I am trying to be sure they sleep better than I do. They’re supporting me," he concluded.