The Saint Michel-Mavic-Auber 93 women’s team faces a precarious future just days before the start of the Tour de France Femmes, as one of its key sponsors, believed to be Mavic, has withdrawn its support for 2025. The team’s riders, including Brittany’s Elyne Roussel and Célia Le Mouel, now find themselves in a difficult position ahead of next week’s race which starts in Rotterdam.
The news, which broke during an altitude training camp in La Toussuire in mid-July, has thrown the Parisian-based team’s preparations into disarray. The team, currently competing at the Continental level- currently the second tier of women’s professional cycling until ProTeam status is introduced next year – may be forced to return to amateur status (DN) if a new sponsor cannot be secured. Further complicating this is the French national federation which stipulates that all French Continental teams must pay their riders a national minimum wage. Making the sponsor investment key to reaching that level of competition.
Despite ongoing negotiations to save the team’s professional status, the uncertainty has led to some riders being given the green light to explore opportunities with other teams. According to Le Télégramme, several riders have already lined up new contracts. Victorie Guilman and Marion Borras are reportedly in talks with Cofidis, while Marion Bunel is said to be considering a move to Visma-Lease a bike, where Pauline Ferrand-Prévot will lead the squad in 2025.
As the 2024 Tour de France Femmes approaches, the focus for the team’s riders has been clouded by this unsettling news. While they hope for a resolution, the possibility of the team’s dissolution looms large, casting a shadow over their participation in one of the most prestigious races of the season.
