CCC team manager Jim Ochowicz expressed optimism that a new title sponsor could be found to replace the CCC shoe brand in 2021, and even predicted that a new patron for the World Tour team could be decided by the August 29 rescheduled Tour de France He even predicted that a new sponsor for the World Tour team might be decided by the start of the rescheduled Tour de France on August 29.

CCC had been struggling as a company even before the COVID-19 coronavirus and was forced to close stores across Europe in recent months as part of the blockade measures of the COVID-19 pandemic. After weeks of reports and rumors, Ochowicz admitted 10 days ago that he is looking for a new title sponsor. However, he was aware of the worldwide interest in cycling in recent weeks and seemed convinced that a rescheduled race calendar, especially from August to November, would help him find a new sponsor if he could showcase professional racing.

"I think the race will be important for us, we will be able to find sponsors before we go to the Tour de France. But I have a feeling that we will get sponsors before the Tour de France. I don't know if I'm right or wrong, but I feel like it's going to happen," Ochowicz said Wednesday afternoon on a conference call with certain media outlets, including Cycling News.

e "Business is slowing down on all fronts, but it's also an opportunity in these times of crisis. People are looking for opportunities in the many different and new businesses that have flourished in recent months. I believe that the cycling industry is very healthy. The global cycling industry is booming, which is good for the sport, and when I talk to potential sponsors, they love to talk about cycling. It's a good situation for cycling and a good situation for us to market the sport.

Ochowicz refused to reveal the names or nationalities of potential new sponsors, recalling that two years ago, the search for new funding was often confusing as rumors and reports swirled about BMC's replacement. He was optimistic, however, and revealed that he had even flown to San Francisco to meet with potential sponsors, despite the ongoing health crisis in the United States.

"I'm optimistic. For the reasons I just mentioned." [At this point, I think there are half a dozen active discussions with potential sponsors. We can't take anything to the bank until we get the paperwork signed confirming the commitment. So far we haven't had that, but we're talking to a lot of them.

"That number comes in waves. I have had two interested parties call me after this chat. I don't know how much interest there is. But I get regular calls every week from people from different countries, different companies, different priorities. Some leave and new people come. There is a process to this, and it doesn't happen in a day.

"We have something unique on our hands. We have a licensing agreement with the UCI for the next two and a half years. We're going to compete in the Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia, and Paris-Roubaix. Others can't say that. Now that Mitchelton-Scott has settled financial matters with a new sponsor, we may be the only group in the World Tour looking for sponsorship; July and the Tour de France are traditionally the first deadlines for securing title sponsors and big-name riders.

Ochowicz is in a race against time, but suggested that all deadlines for 2021 are off; the UCI will likely delay the 2021 team registration process until late winter, and the impact of COVID-19 has also slowed the rider transfer market. [Because of the virus, and because of the nature of the race calendar, there are no deadlines anymore in 2020.

"There are no deadlines, they keep changing every day. The Tour is in September. So I'm not going to set a deadline; if we want to have a team in 2021, the only deadline is December 31, 2020."

"A lot of things are different today. We are doing business differently than usual, and even the executives and CEOs we normally talk to are sitting at home in t-shirts and shorts like we are. This slows down the process and is why it is not practical to set deadlines. We have to embrace this new way of doing things."

CCC team leader Greg Van Avermaat has once again shown his loyalty to the team, but is also concerned about his own future and is considering his options. He and newcomers Matteo Tolentin and Ilnur Zakarin are under contract until 2021. Ochowicz said that while he respects them, he is confident that the players want to remain in his program.

"Probably many of the players have already been offered to 2021 and they have chosen to pause that opportunity until we have some footing. It won't happen until we have a sponsor or until the race starts and their colors come out," Ochowicz suggested. [Greg has a contract and he wants to stay. For Greg Van Avermaat, the opportunities will not be small. He is an Olympic champion and will be the defending champion in 2021. Greg will have a good future in the coming years and we expect him to win and profit from our team.

"If he had an offer he couldn't refuse, I probably wouldn't keep him. I can't say for sure. I don't know if he has accepted the offer. I know he has discussed it, and that's fair and good. But I don't think he would rush to a conclusion. We have known each other a long time and we respect each other

"I don't think too many people will make too many decisions in June or July. Then you get to the Tour de France, and the usual scenario is that a deal starts to get done. But we are talking about September."

Ochowicz said the CCC team hopes to move from the U.S. to Europe in early July to better prepare for a return to racing; much of the planning for the intense August-November season is already done.

"We have opened a service course in Belgium. We have about 120 race bikes hung up and a lot of work to do to get the equipment ready for the first races," he explained.

"Before we know it, we'll be heading to Spain and Italy. The riders are eager to get back to racing. The race calendar was just finalized last night. We will finalize which riders will participate this weekend and the riders will adjust their training depending on where they race."