Following a very impressive Tour de France where Pierrick Fedrigo and Thomas Voeckler picked up stage wins and Anthony Charteau took the King of the Mountains title, it has been confirmed that the Bouygues Telecom will reverse a decision to end its backing of the team.
According to L’Equipe, the telecommunications company will remain on board, but in a smaller capacity. "If the team finds one or more principal partners, Bouygues Telecom plans to provide additional minority amounting to 1 million euro a year," said a spokesman.
However reports that La Banque Postale is set set to come on board next year as a co-sponsor and then increase its backing for 2012 appear to be inaccurate.
The company has contacted Velochrono to "categorically deny being in contact with the cycling team of Jean-Rene Bernaudeau." It stated that "such approximation is not part of the strategy of La Poste, which is already a partner of arbitrators in several sports since 2007.”
Voeckler has stated that he expects the team to continue. There are suggestions that Bernardeau is on the verge of a formal agreement with an as-yet unnamed company although, until such time as deals are confirmed, rumours will continue to swirl.
But if its stirring Tour de France performance counts for anything, the team deserves a major deal.