There is still no indication about a new sponsor to replace the exiting Europcar, but French team manager Jean-René Bernaudeau has stated that the squad will continue.

Bernaudeau has spent many months searching for a new backer, needing to find a replacement after Europcar indicated it wouldn’t carry on.

The wait has dragged on and, in the meantime, Pierre Rolland and Cyril Gautier have indicated that the will leave at the end of the season.

Bernaudeau was recently said to have travelled to Britain in the hunt for a new sponsor. Separately, Télégramme journalist Philippe Priser suggested that the bakery company Sicard could take over backing, although this has not been confirmed.

Whatever about the details, Bernaudeau sounded optimistic at the opening stage of the Tour du Poitou-Charentes on Tuesday.

“I can say nothing officially but I’m satisfied,” he told the Nouvelle République. “There will be a team next season.”

Beyond that, it is unclear if such a squad would remain Pro Continental or if it could step up to WorldTour.