The ailing TJ Sport team is reported to have been saved by unexpected sources. According to Cyclingnews, investors and sponsors from Abu Dhabi will step in to save China's first World Tour team.

TJ Sport, the Chinese successor of Lampre-Merida, is the last team still in the waiting room to get a WorldTour license. The team was forced to ask for a postponement to finalize the required registration documents. A key person fell ill which caused a delay, says the team.

In addition, money problems reportedly plague the team. In early December, the first training camp of the team was canceled, after reports came out about possible economic problems. Team manager Giuseppe Saronni and coordinator Mauro Gianetti are eported to have had trouble obtaining the promised funding from China.

According to Cyclingnews, the team have met all the requirements of the UCI in order to qualify for a WorldTour license. Bike sponsor Colnago is reported have played a major role in finding new donors.

Several sources have stated that, as yet unknown, investors and sponsors in Abu Dhabi have saved the team. The project TJ Sport should therefore have a budget of eight to nine million, the smallet in the WorldTour.

It is expected that the will make an announcement regarding the license on December 15. We should also soon know more about the team name and new sponsor.