Alonso will not buy the Euskatel cycling team
Fernando Alonso will have to wait a little longer before stepping into the world of professional cycling. His intention to buy the Basque team Euskatel-Euskadi is hindered by various problems, which means that the double Formula 1 world champion has given up acquiring the team.
Fernando Alonso will not buy the professional license of the Euskaltel-Euskadi cycling team. The driver confirmed this information on his Twitter account: “We tried until the end, but it is simply impossible to have a professional cycling team in 2014.”
The cause of this failure is due to Alonso’s reluctance to acquire the entire structure of the Basque team. Indeed, while the Spaniard is willing to pay the six million euros for the purchase of the professional license and keep the fourteen riders that make up the team, including Olympic champion Samuel Sanchez, he does not wish to retain the technical staff. As a result, the leaders of Euskatel broke off negotiations, as confirmed by an official statement: Euskaltel has made a great effort to try to reach an agreement, to give its approval without any restrictions, financial or otherwise. The representatives of Euskaltel cannot hide their disappointment with the turn of events during the negotiations, following the expectations raised by the initial agreement at the end of August and the public statements made by Fernando Alonso and his representatives.
But Alonso has not given up on the idea of owning his own cycling team. He is therefore going to create one from scratch, with former professional cyclist Kiko Garcia: « My passion for this sport and my desire to be part of it remain intact, so this is just the beginning. Starting tomorrow morning [today] we will begin to build a team that we can be proud of. The best cycling team we can create, while respecting this sport, with humility. As you can see, I am very tenacious, and above all, I love the values of this sport. »
If he joins a new team, Alonso will not be able to participate at the World Tour level and will have to settle, in the first year, for the lower division of Continental Pro. However, he hopes to successfully complete his project for the 2015 season.
Rumors are already swirling about a possible transfer of his friend and double Tour de France winner, Alberto Contador, to his new team. Contador wanted to respond: « It’s good news that Alonso has his team. I talked to him and he is delighted. But I am very satisfied with Saxo. The team has improved, I have two years left on my contract, and I don’t see myself changing. I have a very good relationship with Fernando. He had already contacted me for another project in 2009 that did not materialize. »
