Some weeks ago, president of the Dutch riders' union VVBW Bobbie Traksel revealed his plan to create a new continental team for unemployed Dutch and Belgian riders. Having almost secured the needed 600.000 euros, the Dutchman is almost ready to turn his plans into reality.

The transfer market has been harder than usual in 2013, with five professional teams all folding at the end of the season. With Vacansoleil and Crelan-Euphony among them, many Dutch and Belgian riders have found themselves without a team for 2014.

A few weeks ago, president of the Dutch riders' union VVBW, Bobbie Traksel, aired his intention to set up a continental team that could serve as a temporary home for those riders. With new teams set to emerge in 2015, the team could bridge the gap and allow them to stay active in 2014 before returning to the highest level one year later.

Since then, Traksel and Crelan manager Gino Verhasselt have worked hard to find the needed funding. Traksel needs 600.000 euros to go ahead with his plans and is close to reaching that target.

"We still need 75,000 euros. They need to be found in the near future for the plan to succeed," he told BN DeStem.

"We are dealing with the final details," he added. "But we want 600.000 euros to go forward with the plan. We want our riders to receive a respectable salary and not just let them ride for nothing."

Initially, Traksel had set Friday as his deadline but has decided to postpone it.

"Now we are so close, we will wait for the weekend," he said. "No later than Monday, it will be clear whether the plan will go ahead or not."

Traksel's own Champion System is one of the teams that will fold at the end of the season and so he is expected to be one of the riders on the roster that will contain 12 Belgians and Dutchmen. Despite having seemingly finished most of his negotiations, he refuses to name any riders.

"It would not be wise to name those guys," he said. "We also have a team leader and now only waiting for the final sponsor."

In addition to Crelan-Euphony, Vacansoleil, and Champion System, both Euskaltel and Sojasun will fold at the end of the season.