Le Col-Wahoo received news last month that their title sponsor Le Col was pulling out of funding the team in 2023. The expected budget was around €400k, which caused a huge shortfall in the team’s overall budget for the 2023 season. The team immediately made all of its riders available for signing by other teams, something that was taken advantage of by many to secure new employers.
The team has announced, however, that they will have a new title sponsor. The exact details are being kept under wraps until next month, but it will see the team able to continue at the level they set in 2022. They finished 2022 as the 15th-ranked team and were mooted to possibly apply for the Women’s WorldTour although that proved to be moot when the deadline passed. The final spot went to Fenix-Deceuninck in the end. The re-investment that they have secured will give them a shot at possibly making one of the WWT spots available at the end of the 2023 season.
The likes of Elizabeth Holden (UAE Team ADQ), Marjolein van ‘t Geloof (Human Powered Health), Eva van Agt (Jumbo Visma) and Jesse Vandenbulcke (Human Powered Health) have all found new teams which leaves some gaps in the line-up. The team’s announcement says that they will be able to let everyone know who they have signed to replace them. With the demise of B&B Hotels, there are still riders like Chloe Hosking and Typhane Laurance available. Margaux Vigie, previously of Valcar-Travel & Service, is also still available too.
There are also changes at the director sportif level for Le Col-Wahoo. Previous DSes Nicolas Marche and Julia Soek have left the team. Marche recently announced that he would be working for UAE Team ADQ from 2023. In their place, Le Col-Wahoo will have Morgan Kneisky and former Movistar rider Gosia Jasinska.
“I’m delighted to welcome both Morgan and Gosia to the team, with them they bring vast experience from many years involved in the profession, which we can all learn from. It’s been a difficult period for the team, which has had its effect, but we are focused on the positives that are ahead as we look forward to turning a new page for the 2023 season. We are excited to share the news of our new partners and of course the riders that will wear our jerseys in 2023.”
Tom Varney, Le Col-Wahoo general manager
