Major investor targets Polti VisitMalta team and Aurum bike brand

The Italian cycling team Polti VisitMalta is about to partner with a major investor, according to reports from Cyclingnews and La Gazzetta dello Sport. The investor is said to be a private equity firm, essentially an investment company.

"This investment will help secure the team's long-term future and raise the team's budget and ambitions", writes Cyclingnews. The British cycling site has learned that this not only involves the Polti VisitMalta cycling team but also the bike brand Aurum. The key figures behind the team—Alberto and Francisco Contador, and Ivan Basso—are also owners of this bike brand.

The investors are reportedly set to take a significant stake, while the Contador brothers and Basso will continue to lead the cycling team and Aurum. Cyclingnews reached out to Basso, but the former Giro winner was unavailable for comment.

Team Polti VisitMalta is a professional cycling team registered in Italy. It is part of the overarching Fundación Contador, which also includes the junior teams.

The Aurum bike brand was founded by the Contador brothers after Alberto Contador’s retirement. His former teammate Basso joined them, having played a key behind-the-scenes role in securing important sponsorship deals with Eolo and Kometa.