Last week it was reported that Fernando Alonso had already secured the backing from a major partner from the Middle East in his attempt to set up a new major cycling team in 2015. Now Il Messaggero reports that it is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, Etihad Airways, that will be the main backer of the new project.

In times where several professional cycling teams have been forced to fold due to a lack of funding, things appear to be a bit easier when you use one of global sport's major stars as draw card. F1 driver Fernando Alonso is busy preparing his new cycling project that will enter the sport in 2015, and he is reported to have already secured the needed financial backing.

After having been linked with the sport for several years, Alonso finally decided to enter the cycling world when he tried to take of the license from the folding Euskaltel team. Those negotiations ultimately collapsed but Alonso continued his work, now aiming to start a new team for the 2015 season.

Last week it was reported that he had already secured financial backing from a major partner from Dubai in the United Arab Emirates and now Il Messaggero goes one step further by mentioning the name of a potential backer. The Italian newspaper reports that it is the national airline of the country, Etihad Airways, that has decided to enter the sport and offer support for Alonso's new project.

While the rumours have not yet been confirmed, several other details about the team have emerged in recent days. Paolo Bettini is reported to be appointed in a management position in the team after stepping down from his role as Italian national coach and is said to be presented on January 7 at a press conference in Madrid.

Alonso has also revealed that he will have no riders with a doping past in his team and that he will only try to sign riders which do not have an existing contract for 2015. He has already had talks with the UCI and Tour de France organizers ASO about the possibilities of entering the WorldTour and receiving invitations for the Tour in its first year of existence.