Reports - Chinese Investor approaches Astana Qazaqstan
L'équipe reports interest from Chinese business in acquiring Kazakh WorldTour squad, source tells Global Peloton 'no way it will happen'
WorldTour squad Astana Qazaqstan have been approached by a Chinese businessman who has offered to purchase the team with a five-year commitment, according to a report in L'équipe.
The acquisition would almost double the budget of the Kazakh team - which also includes a men's development squad and the Astana-Dewi women's team - making the team one of the richest in the peloton.
Sources have told Global Peloton that the Chinese bike brand Pardus has been approached by Astana Qazaqstan as part of the deal. Pardus currently supply equipment to the Continental squad China Glory-Mentech and is part of the Taishan Sports Industry Group.
According to the source, Astana Qazaqstan asked Pardus for 2-3 Million euros and 300-400 bikes as part of the sponsorship deal, a request which was beyond the Chinese company's budget. "No way it will happen," the source said of the deal between Astana-Qazaqstan and Pardus.
The investor is said to be a private business man with no links to the Chinese Cycling Federation. This would not be a Chinese state-funded sponsorship, in the same ilk as Bahrain Victorious or UAE Team Emirates.
China's ambitions to have a greater stake in the sport of cycling have been growing in recent seasons. The success of the China Glory-Mentech squad appears to be increasing the appetite of the decision makers within the Chinese Federation.
"It's totally possible, but we need time,” Lionel Marie, Sports Director of China Glory-Mentech told Global Peloton of the idea of a future Chinese WorldTour team.
He added: “the thing is when the country, when they decide to invest, they go full gas. So if the country wants to go one day in the WorldTour, it will not be a big problem to find financial stuff.”
If these reports are true, the reality of a Chinese WorldTour team could come much sooner than many expected.
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