A new title sponsor and possible new signings as former Vacansoleil director joins alternative Belgian pro continental squad
After previously stating that he needed just another one million euros to ensure that his Vacansoleil squad could continue as a pro continental level team, director Hiliare Van der Schueren has reportedly scrapped the idea and taken the two million euros he does have to the Accent Jobs-Wanty team, where Van der Schueren has reportedly signed on to help structure the team.
Furthermore, the Accent Jobs sponsor is said to be pulling out, and the Belgian pro continental squad is set to announce a new title sponsor soon.
The merger of sorts between Vacansoleil and Accent Jobs-Wanty, along with perhaps the budget increase, could allow the team to sign one or several of Van der Schueren’s main riders, in Bjorn Leukemans, Thomas De Gendt, and Marco Marcato.
The Belgian news agency RTBF.be reports that the move of Van der Schueren to Accent Jobs-Wanty is confirmed. They also have confirmed the exit of Accent Jobs, with a new sponsor from the Walloon region of Belgium set to take over as title name, with the specifics of the agreement to be announced soon.
Wanty, a Belgian company specializing in a variety of civil engineering projects, stays on as a secondary sponsor. Accent Jobs-Wanty general manager Jean-François Bourlart found the new title sponsor. Thierry Marichal is the team’s head director sportif, and the team also employs Jean-Marc Rossignon, Steven De Neef, and Sébastien Demarbaix.
Van der Schueren’s new role in the team has not yet been reported, with RTBF only stating that he will “integrate the structure of the pro continental team.”
It is likely that the new Belgian pro continental squad will have a bit of a bigger budget with which to work in 2014, with a mix of Vacansoleil and Accent Jobs-Wanty riders filling out a new roster for next season.
Leukemans is reported to be sticking close to Van der Schueren as he looked for more money for a team. If De Gendt and Marcato remain, it could mean increased invitations for the Belgian team.
Accent Jobs-Wanty has just one win on the season, taken by sprinter Danilo Napolitano in the Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen. They also got podium finishes from Jurgen van Goolen and Jempy Drucker.