Struggling bicycle wheel manufacturer Mavic may have a helping hand from business lawyer Didier Plumer, who is leading an acquisition project that includes industry experts and two former professional riders.

Mavic, founded in 1889 and employing 250 people worldwide, was placed into receivership earlier this month after being sold to California investment fund Regent LP. [The company was previously owned by Salomon, which in turn was owned by Ame Sports, a Finnish sporting goods conglomerate that was sold to China's Anta Sports.

The French newspaper L'Equipe reports that Plumer has been named as a prospective bidder in a bidding process that runs through June 2. The Frenchman played a major role in American businessman Frank McCourt's 2016 takeover of soccer club Olympique de Marseille.

"The idea is to finalize a project to save the jobs and talent of the men and women who created the 'yellow blood,'" Plumer said.

"Talks are well underway and should include some big names in the French business community.

"The difficulties Mavic has encountered are, for me, an opportunity to mobilize economic players who are willing to actively participate in the famous "post-COVID-19 world" we hear so much about these days."

Poulard endorsed the model of "economic patriotism" and called his actions to save the company "saving the Mavic soldier," naming him one of the "world's athletes who will enable France to shine at the 2024 Paris Olympics."

The composition of the acquisition group has not been disclosed, but according to Poulard it includes "a small group of experts from the bicycle manufacturing, distribution, events, and marketing departments, plus two well-known former professional athletes."

Reports of a possible takeover from a group of French-based investors would undoubtedly be good news for Mavic's staff. Mavic's complicated ownership situation remains unresolved.

The Socio-Economic Committee (CSE), which represents Mavic's employees, announced earlier this month that the sale to Regent LP would not take place and that a Delaware company called M Sports would instead own Mavic.

"To make matters worse, since the sale by Salomon, Mavic has been understandably abandoned and has never actually been taken over by either Regent LP or M Sports.

"Why did we have to wait months for the receivership to finally open? Isn't it too late to find a serious buyer? What happened in the meantime?