Bjarne Riis’ Saxo Bank team looks set for a better financial footing with the news that one of its current minor sponsors wants to step up its commitment significantly.
Timeshare company Anfi Group is considering becoming the second naming sponsor, thus changing the team name to Saxo Bank Anfi.
“We have a strategic goal to become more visible in Scandinavia and especially in Denmark, since we want more Scandinavian timeshare clients,” its CEO Jose Luis Trujillo told Børsen.
“Anfi has made a four-year contract with Bjarne Riis, and we will expand after the Vuelta a España, so we will co-sponsor and appear on the jersey. I imagine the name Saxo Bank Anfi.”
However according to Riis Cycling director Trey Greenwood, it’s too soon to talk about a done deal. “I cannot confirm that Anfi will appear on the jersey as we have yet to close some deals in terms of our title sponsorship in 2013.”
He suggests that negotations are ongoing with several companies. If so, it puts the team in a better position that it was in this year, when SunGard withdrew and left Saxo Bank as the sole backer.
Anfi’s proposed backing is contingent on Alberto Contador returning to the team once his suspension ends in August. This is widely expected to happen.
Currently UCI rules state that a rider who has been suspended cannot be considered when the points are being weighed up for calculation of eligibility for a WorldTour licence.
The need for a team to be in the top twenty of those rankings for consideration means that Riis will either have to sign other riders with enough world ranking points, or to appeal the UCI’s regulation to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
The Dane has suggested that he will fight the regulation.