{"id":2040,"date":"2025-07-02T16:13:00","date_gmt":"2025-07-02T14:13:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/?p=2040"},"modified":"2025-07-02T16:13:02","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T14:13:02","slug":"arkea-cycling-collapse-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/arkea-cycling-collapse-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Breton Bombshell: Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels Team Faces Collapse \u2014 Riders Told to Find New Homes"},"content":{"rendered":"<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_28b004-e7\">The winds of change have hit French cycling hard \u2014 and fast. In a stunning double blow, both <strong>Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel Ark\u00e9a<\/strong> and <strong>B&amp;B Hotels<\/strong> have announced they\u2019re pulling sponsorship from the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/tour-de-france-teams-2025\/arkea-bbhotels\/\">Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels cycling team<\/a><\/strong> at the end of the <strong>2025 season<\/strong>. The squad, which proudly flew the Breton flag for nearly a decade, now stares down a future filled with uncertainty, anxious riders, and a desperate hunt for new backers.<br><br>This isn\u2019t just a story of contracts and budgets \u2014 it\u2019s the sudden fall of a team that embodied regional pride, nurtured local talent, and delivered WorldTour dreams. Here\u2019s what\u2019s happening, who\u2019s in danger, and why this saga is about to send shockwaves through the peloton.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_58a528-46 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_58a528-46 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_58a528-46\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_d6efc4-64\">End of an Era: How Did It Come to This?<\/h2>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_6871cd-3c\">After nearly ten years of loyal partnership, both <strong>Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel Ark\u00e9a<\/strong> and <strong>B&amp;B Hotels<\/strong> confirmed their withdrawal this week. What started as a modest Pro Continental outfit evolved into a WorldTour-level squad by <strong>2023<\/strong>, a historic milestone for both the team and Breton cycling.<br><br>But now, with corporate strategy shifts and broader financial tightening, both title sponsors are out. Ark\u00e9a\u2019s spokesperson cited the bank\u2019s desire to &#8220;reassess sporting partnerships&#8221; while B&amp;B Hotels hinted at &#8220;refocusing brand priorities.&#8221; Translation? The money\u2019s gone \u2014 and so is the safety net.<br><br>Without immediate new investment, <strong>Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels faces a full shutdown before 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_1c0b6b-ed .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_1c0b6b-ed .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_1c0b6b-ed\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_e90089-95\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_e90089-95\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_e90089-95\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_e90089-95 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_e90089-95\">Big Names, Bigger Uncertainty<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The hardest hit? The riders.<br>This isn\u2019t a mid-tier team with journeymen \u2014 this is a squad boasting some of <strong>France\u2019s most marketable talents<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_afff74-7d\">Key Riders Caught in the Crossfire:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Arnaud D\u00e9mare<\/strong> \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 \u2014 Former French national champ, sprint king, signed as Ark\u00e9a\u2019s marquee star for 2024-2025.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><strong>K\u00e9vin Vauquelin<\/strong> \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 \u2014 Rising GC contender, tipped as a Tour de France top-10 prospect within two years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cl\u00e9ment Champoussin<\/strong> \ud83c\uddeb\ud83c\uddf7 \u2014 Gifted climber and breakaway specialist.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><strong>Vincenzo Albanese<\/strong> \ud83c\uddee\ud83c\uddf9 \u2014 Versatile puncheur with sprint legs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-wrap.wp-block-kadence-rowlayout.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61{margin-top:0px;}.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);max-width:1000px;margin-left:auto;margin-right:auto;padding-top:0px;padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id2040_3b9f7a-61 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-1-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72{position:relative;}.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72, .kt-inside-inner-col > .kadence-column2040_2b799d-72:not(.specificity){margin-top:0px;margin-left:0px;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column2040_2b799d-72 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column2040_2b799d-72\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_aab904-59\"]{padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_aab904-59\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_aab904-59\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_aab904-59\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_aab904-59\"]{border-left:3px solid var(--global-palette6, #718096);}}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_aab904-59 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_aab904-59\"><strong>Internal sources suggest riders were discreetly told last week they\u2019re free to explore other options for 2026.<\/strong> Several have already begun talks with rival teams, sensing Ark\u00e9a\u2019s ship may be sinking faster than expected.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_05e37a-1e .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_05e37a-1e .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_05e37a-1e\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_9e2de5-41\">Not Just a Team, But a Breton Symbol<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This isn\u2019t just about points, UCI licenses, or team buses. <strong>Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels was Brittany\u2019s flagship team<\/strong>, a cycling symbol for a region known for its rugged coastline, fierce independence, and cycling obsession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Losing this team would:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Erode local pro cycling presence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Disrupt regional development programs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sever the cultural bond between Breton fans and the pro peloton.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As one fan tweeted:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIt\u2019s not a cycling team leaving \u2014 it\u2019s our identity being dismantled.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_49d767-a1 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_49d767-a1 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_49d767-a1\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_247c48-69\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_247c48-69\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_247c48-69\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_247c48-69 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_247c48-69\">Can This Be Saved? Or Is It Game Over?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Team boss Emmanuel Hubert<\/strong> confirmed on Wednesday he\u2019s actively chasing new sponsors, both domestic and international. The hunt is desperate \u2014 and complicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">French media whispers hint at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A possible merger with <strong>TotalEnergies<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Foreign investors eyeing a WorldTour license buy-in.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A wildcard American or Middle Eastern group entering talks.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_61f764-80\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_61f764-80\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_61f764-80\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_61f764-80 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_61f764-80\">But here\u2019s the kicker: <strong>if no deal\u2019s signed by October, the UCI could revoke the team\u2019s license<\/strong>, and its riders would become free agents before the season ends.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_8aba24-23 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_8aba24-23 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_8aba24-23\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_f28377-4a\">2025 Tour de France: One Last Hurrah or Farewell Lap?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the chaos, Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels will race the <a href=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/\">2025 Tour de France<\/a>.<br>But insiders report morale is shaky. Some riders, like <strong>D\u00e9mare<\/strong>, may prioritize personal results to boost market value for 2026 deals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expect:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Aggressive breakaways<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">Risky sprint tactics<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Desperate attempts for stage wins as parting gifts<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_5957a4-9c .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_5957a4-9c .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_5957a4-9c\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h3 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_deaa46-1c\">Transfer Market Incoming<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">With so many high-profile riders potentially on the market, expect a fierce battle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>D\u00e9mare<\/strong> tipped to land at <strong>Cofidis<\/strong> or <strong>TotalEnergies<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\"><strong>Vauquelin<\/strong> reportedly approached by <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/tour-de-france-teams-2025\/decathlon-ag2r-la-mondiale\/\">AG2R<\/a> Citro\u00ebn<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Champoussin<\/strong> linked with <strong>Groupama-FDJ<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_01128e-38\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_01128e-38\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_01128e-38\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_01128e-38 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_01128e-38\">Why This Is About More Than Cycling<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, this move also reflects a broader <strong>Breton sports identity crisis<\/strong>.<br>Ark\u00e9a isn\u2019t just pulling from cycling \u2014 it\u2019s reportedly scaling down involvement in sailing, rugby, and regional football.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae\"]{padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_4ed396-ae\">At the same time, political debates in Brittany over healthcare autonomy and environmental disasters (like the green algae crisis) have further intensified regional tensions. This team saga ties into a larger story of Brittany fighting for visibility and relevance in a centralizing France.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_69a0fe-d2 .kt-block-spacer{height:20px;}.wp-block-kadence-spacer.kt-block-spacer-2040_69a0fe-d2 .kt-divider{border-top-width:1px;height:1px;border-top-color:#eee;width:80%;border-top-style:solid;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-spacer aligncenter kt-block-spacer-2040_69a0fe-d2\"><div class=\"kt-block-spacer kt-block-spacer-halign-center\"><hr class=\"kt-divider\"\/><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c\"]{font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<h2 class=\"kt-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading2040_7f0f01-9c\">What Should Happen Next?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Should another French team merge with Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>\u26aa Yes, TotalEnergies should step in<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\u26aa Let it fold \u2014 the peloton is too crowded<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>\u26aa Bring in foreign investment, keep it Breton-based<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li style=\"margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20)\">\u26aa Other (comment your pick!)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a team once seen as the heartbeat of Breton cycling, the clock is now ticking loudly. <strong>Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels rides the 2025 season not just for results, but for survival.<\/strong><br>If no lifeline arrives soon, France could lose one of its most passionate, regional-rooted teams \u2014 and with it, a chapter of cycling history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The peloton may never look the same.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The winds of change have hit French cycling hard \u2014 and fast. In a stunning double blow, both Cr\u00e9dit Mutuel Ark\u00e9a and B&amp;B Hotels have announced they\u2019re pulling sponsorship from the Ark\u00e9a-B&amp;B Hotels cycling team at the end of the 2025 season. The squad, which proudly flew the Breton flag for nearly a decade, now&#8230;<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2042,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2040","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-tour-de-france"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":28,"label":"Tour de France"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/franceletour.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/arkea-and-bnb-hotels-1024x536.jpg",1024,536,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Gautier Durfort","author_link":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/author\/gautier-durfort\/"},"comment_info":2,"category_info":[{"term_id":28,"name":"Tour de France","slug":"tour-de-france","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":28,"taxonomy":"category","description":"Live the Tour de France cycling race. Get stage results, route maps, team insights, and historical highlights from every edition of Le Grand Boucle.","parent":0,"count":14,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":28,"category_count":14,"category_description":"Live the Tour de France cycling race. Get stage results, route maps, team insights, and historical highlights from every edition of Le Grand Boucle.","cat_name":"Tour de France","category_nicename":"tour-de-france","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2040","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2040"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2040\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2080,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2040\/revisions\/2080"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2042"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2040"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2040"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/franceletour.com\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2040"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}