Frenchman looking for a new team but hopes Vaughters can save the day
Image 1 of 5
Pierre Rolland on the stage 17 podium at the Giro d'Italia
Pierre Rolland celebrates on the Giro d'Italia podium after winning stage 17(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Pierre Rolland wins stage 17 of the Giro d'Italia.(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Pierre Rolland (Cannondale Drapac)(Image credit: Bettini Photo)
Pierre Rolland on the move at the Giro d'Italia(Image credit: Tim de Waele/TDWSport.com)
Pierre Rolland has become one of the first Cannondale-Drapac riders to voice his surprise and shock after the team's parent company - Slipstream Sports – admitted that they had major financial problems. On Saturday the riders and staff were notified that the team had a shortfall of around $7 million USD to make up within a matter of weeks, if they were to guarantee the team's future for 2018. All riders and staff were told that they could look for new employment immediately.
Rolland, who signed for the team at the start of 2017, and had a contract through to the end of 2018, posted a response to the news on his Facebook page.
"As you saw last night, Cannondale's riders and staff have just been released from any contract. Indeed, I learned the bad news yesterday afternoon. Being under contract until 2018, I let you imagine my surprise ..." he wrote.
In theory Rolland should be able to find a new team in an easier way than some of his teammates. He is a former top-10 finisher in Grand Tours and won a stage of this year's Giro d'Italia. That being said, the Frenchman, 30, admits that a number of WorldTour teams are already full for 2017. UCI rules have pushed for squads to lower their numbers for 2018 and Cannondale-Drapac's 28-rider squad now floods an already congested market with riders already looking for contracts.
