Sojasun may not be leaving cycling as had originally been expected after it was announced that the eponymous pro continental team will fold at the end of the season. According to L'Equipe, the soya food producer will become an important sponsor of the Cannondale team while Sojasun manager Stephane Heulot and Sojasun rider Jean-Marc Marino will both join the Italian team.

It appeared that it was game over for Stephane Heulot when in late September the Frenchman announced that his pro continental team will fold at the end of the season. Negotiations with a potential co-sponsor had broken down and UCI deadlines did not allow him any time to find another backer.

However, a new door may have opened for Heulot after it has been reported by L'Equipe that the Sojasun company will become an important sponsor of the Cannondale team in 2014. Heulot will reportedly become team manager alongside current manager Roberto Amadio, current Sojasun rider Jean-Marc Marino will be added to the roster, and several staff member could be hired by the Italian team.

It is suggested that a development team could be created which may become mandatory for WorldTour team in 2015.

Cannondale are desperately searching for additional sponsorship money as Peter Sagan's contract expires at the end of the season. The Italian team is keen to keep their Slovakian star but needs money to match the offers that are likely to come from some of the major teams in cycling, with Fernando Alonso's new team already reported to be interested in Sagan's signature.

The team were in negotiations with Oleg Tinkov but the Russian businessman decided to follow another path, announcing that he has bought Team Saxo-Tinkoff from Bjarne Riis instead. Sojasun may now provide the team with some of the funding that could have come from the Russian.

The additional money may allow the team to hire a few more riders. A few weeks ago they finalized their 27-rider roster but even with the addition of Marino, there is room for two more riders. In this year's classics, Sagan was often on his own and despite the addition of Marco Marcato and Oscar Gatto, the team could be keen to sign additional reinforcements.

Cannondale has refused to comment on the matter but has confirmed to Cyclingnews that the search for new sponsors is ongoing.