Fernando Alonso Forms Partnership With NOVO To Help Launch Cycling Team

Ferrari F1 driver Fernando Alonso announced an alliance with sport investment manager NOVO, "the first step to make his professional cycling team become a reality," according to Marco Canseco of MARCA. NOVO "will look to attract sponsors and shareholders to join the project." This "alliance is the first step for Alonso, and he may soon reveal the path they will choose during the first year." It "could be to form a ProContinental team, a more contained model in terms of spending, that would only be able to participate in major events (Vuelta, Giro and Tour) by invitation." Caja Rural is one example of such a team. The other option is to "directly enter the ProTour, the maximum category." There is "still a free license for '15 after the merger of the Cannondale and Garmin teams" (MARCA, 10/1).