As reported earlier this week in Cycling News, apparel brand Assos has stepped in to save Doug Rider's WorldTour team, with the Swiss company helping to fund the team for the next two seasons.

In 2021, the team will race as Qhubeka Assos, and their collaboration will continue due to their longstanding relationship with the Qhubeka charity.

Doug Ryder had been looking for a new sponsor since the beginning of the year, and in September it was announced that NTT would be leaving the team entirely after serving as lead sponsor for only one season The news of NTT's withdrawal put the team in serious jeopardy, and Michal Valgren, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Ben O'Connor, and several other high-profile players signed with rival teams.

Over the past week, with the money secured from Asos, team management has been busy building a new roster and the team will retain its South African core for the upcoming season. The addition of Asos means that an African rider will have an important path to the WorldTour, guaranteeing the safety of a WorldTour team that was in danger of closing. [Qhubeka's slogan, 'Bicycles change lives,' could not be more inspiring to us. Derek Bouchard-Hall, CEO of Assos, said, "Assos has always been deeply involved with professional cycling teams, and we are delighted to be working with Qhubeka to help them achieve their goals.

Assos was so impressed with the collaboration with the riders' teams this year that it is allowing the teams to test the garments on riders throughout the 2020 season.

"We look forward to welcoming new partners to Team Cubeca ASSOS as we plan and prepare for a new season in 2021 in a world greatly affected by the pandemic," Rider said. [The bicycle continues to be a tool that changes the lives of many people for commuting, sport, health, freedom and access. Our team has always been about more than winning, but we love winning.

"I also want to pay special tribute to our staff. Those of us in this sport know how difficult it can be. So to see the hard work, care, and professionalism they have shown throughout the years is an inspiration to me every day. We are truly a family."

As for the rest of the roster, Jay Thomson, Reinard Janse van Rensburg, and Nick Dlamini are set to remain. The team is also in talks with EF Pro Cycling's Simon Clark and Fabio Aru, with the Italian rider set to leave UAE Team Emirates after three disappointing seasons.

Giacomo Nizzolo, the team's best sprinter in 2020, has not yet re-signed but is expected to stay, Max Valscheid, Domenico Pozzovivo, Andreas Stockbro, Michal Gogl, and Dylan Sunderland, Victor Kampenaerts have signed new contracts through the end of 2022. Carlos Barbero has been given a one-year contract extension. The team is still looking for riders to keep the team around 27-28 for next season.