B&B Hotels-KTM seek continental license following end of high ambitions

Jerôme Pineau and B&B Hotels-KTM have failed to salvage their plan of a budget increase and signing of big riders. The team had a limit date until the 5th of December (having been extended) to submit their plans, but it was not enough.

Last Friday riders were already told they could be signing for other teams. Ramon Sinkeldam was the first of these, having been signed by Alpecin-Deceuninck today to become a leadout man for Jasper Philipsen and Kaden Groves. The likes of Mark Cavendish, Cees Bol, Max Richeze and Nick Schultz are now without a contract for 2023 just weeks away from the new year. 

It has been said by L'Équipe that the team had seeked to partner with cosmetics and perfume company Sephora, in connection with the city of Paris, but this could've been the sponsor that reverted their plan and decided not to follow through with the negotiations - that have snowballed into the current situation.

It is said that the French team are now looking at the possibility of continuing, but with a Continental license, dropping down a division such as was the case with Drone Hopper - Androni Giocattoli who have also recently secured their future. Decisions have not yet been publicly announced however, but it is expected that something will come out from the team soon.