Jim Ochowicz's search for a new title sponsor to support his World Tour CCC team has reportedly led to negotiations with Rally Health. Owned by UnitedHealth Group, this American health services tool is currently the sponsor of Rally Cycling's Professional Continental Men's and Continental Women's teams, and the team has stated that it has no connection whatsoever with Ochowicz and their program.

"This is news to us! If we were going to compete on the World Tour, we would have told you all," a team representative told Cycling News when asked if recent reports that Rally Health was interested in financially supporting Ochowicz's team on behalf of the CCC were true.

Ochowicz confirmed last week that his Continuum Sports Management company is looking for a new title sponsor after the CCC decided to end its partnership with the men's WorldTour team at the end of 2020. The Polish footwear company was looking to cut spending as its stock price fell 90% compared to 2018; the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in lost revenue.

The company also sponsors Women's WorldTeam CCC-Liv, but the two teams are separate entities, and the women's team confirmed to Cyclingnews that all sponsors have met their obligations to date.

Gazetta dello Sport (opens in new tab) reported on Friday that Ochowicz is in talks with Rally Health to take over title sponsorship of the team with Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab).

UnitedHealth Group is headquartered in Minnesota and encompasses health care services such as UnitedHealthcare, Optum, and Rally Health, all of which have been title sponsors of professional cycling teams for years.

UnitedHealthcare was the title sponsor of UHC Pro Cycling for nine seasons until the contract ended in 2018.

Rally Health is a tool offered by UnitedHealthcare to its customers in the form of a website and mobile app that provides health and wellness information and support as part of their health plan.

Rally is the current title sponsor of Rally Cycling, which is operated by Circuit Sports, also based in Minnesota. Rally took over title sponsorship of Optum Pro Cycling in 2016 and offered the team a multi-year contract.

The team operates a UCI women's team and has expressed interest in upgrading the men's team to a Professional Continental license in 2018 to continue its growth towards the World Tour. The team has trained riders such as Brandon McNulty, who currently races for UAE Team Emirates, and Sepp Kuss, who is currently with Jumbo Visma.