According to L’Equipe, Jean-Rene Bernaudaeu has found a sponsor from France to succeed Europcar for next year, and Sylvain Chavanel will be signed to the team.

“The latest news is very good. Everything seems sorted out but the project has yet to be made official because the sponsor wants to make the announcement. It’ll be a French sponsor, that’s all I can say,” l’Equipe reported Bernaudeau as saying.

Bernaudeau has failed to retain Cyril Gautier and Pierre Rolland, but has kept hold of Thomas Voeckler, Thomas Boudat and Bryan Coquard. These three riders will form the nucleus of the team along with Chavanel.

According to l’Equipe, Bernaudeau has made a formal request for a WorldTour licence with the UCI, claiming he has a budget of 5.5 million Euro and a roster of 22 riders. The new French sponsor may boost that figure by several million but it remains tiny compared to the bigger WorldTour teams.

Chavanel, who rode for Bernaudeau between 2000 and 2004, has offers from various WorldTour and ProContinental teams, but has given his word to his old boss.

“I’m going to end my career with Jean-Rene,” Chavanel told l’Equipe during the rest day of the Vuelta. “I know I can trust him and that he respects me. I’m really motivated for this new experience.”