Domenico Pozzovivo hopes the Qhubeka-NextHash team will be around in 2022, and the veteran Italian believes team manager Doug Ryder will find a new sponsor at the last minute.

Several UCI registration deadlines have already passed, but Cycling News reports that the sport's governing body is giving Ryder more time to save the team and secure a spot in the 2022 World Tour.

The team told Cycling News, "We will continue to fight for our future at the highest level of the sport and continue to use the platform to raise awareness of Qhubeka and change lives."

The riders will have World Tour licenses for 2022, bringing automatic invitations to the Tour de France and other major races.

While it has certain value and appeal for potential sponsors, he must meet the sporting, financial, and ethical requirements for team registration in 2022. According to the Italian website BiciPro, bike sponsor BMC and team vehicle Mercedes are ready to support the team in 2022 if a title sponsor can be found.

The riders do not need a big-budget sponsor, just the millions of euros needed to fund the World Tour program and pay the riders and staff salaries.

The South African coach preserved the team through the 2020 season thanks to the Bjarne Riis deal; when NTT cut off its support and Dane left after failing to raise new funds, Assos stepped in to keep the team alive in 2021. However, the apparel brand will no longer be the title sponsor. After Next Hash joined in the summer, it is unclear whether it paid sponsorship fees and whether it will fund the team in 2022.

After riders were forced to terminate their contracts on September 30, many Qhubeka-Next Hash riders signed with other teams for 2022. Giacomo Nizzolo went to Startup Nation in Israel, Victor Campenal went to Lot Soudal, Mauro Schmid went to Quick Step Alpha Vinyl, and Michal Gogl went to Alpecin Phoenix.

The riders managed to save their teams in 2020 and 2021 and are not about to give up hope now. With several World Tour riders and young talent still on the market, Ryder will be able to rebuild the team for 2022.

Pozzovivo hopes to be able to race for the team in 2022 and has already begun training for the 2022 season.

"As far as I know, it is still possible and my idea is to stay with the Qhubeka group. Pozzovivo told BiciPro.

"It wouldn't be good if it didn't happen, but I don't have a plan B. I risk having to retire."

Pozzovivo celebrated his 38th birthday on November 30.

"I've talked to Doug and it might be better to set a deadline. It would take away some of the uncertainty," he said.

Pozzovivo has recovered from several serious injuries in his career.

"I've been through worse over the years, but it's certainly not the best way to end my career. I am still willing and able to make the sacrifices necessary to become a professional."

Pozzovivo is known for his love of learning, and is just two degrees away from graduating in sports science.

"If I have to stop racing, I will write my thesis right away and see if anyone wants to hire me," he said. I've spent the last few years coaching myself under a team director."

[36] "I know how to prepare for a professional race. I think I know how to prepare for professional racing. But first I want to continue racing for another year. I hope that will happen. I think Doug can pull it off."