Diario Vasco reports that long-running Spanish team might have found a replacement sponsor
One week ago, the future of the Caisse d’Epargne team looked to be in major doubt. Seven days later, however, and things could be taking a turn for the better for the French sponsored, Spanish based team. The Spanish daily, Diario Vasco, claims that team owner, Eusebio Unzue, might have found a new sponsor willing to sponsor the team to the tune of six million euros per year.
The total of six million euros would be a good start, but Unzue would hope to further bolster his financial foundation with another sponsor.
A new sponsor would keep one of the longest running organizations in professional cycling afloat. As Conal Andrews pointed out last week in a piece about the gloomy outlook for Eusebio Unzue’s squad, the “structure of the team has been in place for the past 30 years, beginning with Reynolds as the title sponsor, then backed by Banesto, Illes Baleares, and Caisse d’Epargne.”
The good news for Caisse d’Epargne could be bad news for an outfit like Vacansoleil, a team looking to make the step up to the ProTour in 2011. The fate of Vacansoleil could hinge on the success both the Caisse d’Epargne and Milram teams have in finding a replacement sponsor to move forward into 2011.