The future of the new Ardèche Kone Team, candidate for N2, is already getting darker. “Kone is currently taking appropriate measures to protect its brand and its rights”the company told DirectVelo. The world No. 2 for elevators and escalators claims to have no “never gave authorization for the use of its name or its logo”. According to The Dauphiné Libérélegal proceedings for use of forgery have been opened.
On the team's Instagram account, which has not been updated since October 9, it is indicated that Kone “sera [notre] title partner for a period of five years”. What manager Pierre-André Fayette, 28, had already indicated to DirectVelo early September (read here), while explaining that his ambition was to quickly join the professional peloton. A file has been submitted to the authorities for 2025 in order to go to N2.
Contacted this Wednesday by DirectVelo, Pierre-André Fayette, former amateur rider for VC La Pomme Marseille and Apogé Cyclisme, wished to respond in a press release that we are publishing in full below.
“Since February 2024, the intention of setting up a National team in Ardèche with title partner Kone had been mentioned. I always said that with or without sponsor, this team would see the light of day. After multiple discussions with the CEO France and certain managers of the Kone France company, we discussed a partnership worth €350,000 in annual sponsorship. The past months I was relying on the company and still had no answers. I had to recruit and the French Cycling Federation asked us for financial documents to access this label. I had no choice but to announce that we had signed a contract to solidify the file. At the end of November, still waiting for the Kone company, I contacted all the regional and agency directors, CEOs and HR of the Kone company with whom I had full contact to explain that I did not did not wait for the return to create this team, and that if however they did not want to give the money, I would put the money out of my pocket for 2025 while promoting their brand at the highest amateur level.
I sent the articles, as well as the models of the jerseys and vehicles, as well as the name of our cycle partner so that they could realize the importance of this team. Some regional directors did not appreciate my audacity in creating the team without having the agreement actually signed. With a textile order of almost €24,000 at the end of November 2024, I made a request to Kone so that their logo remains marked at least on our jerseys for 2025.
Nearly €200,000 of cycle equipment was also ordered at the beginning of November and will arrive at the team headquarters from next week. Vehicles were purchased, namely a racing vehicle, a workshop truck and a camper van, all at my expense. Apart from the fact that Kone may not be our partner for 2025, the club's finances will be there for next season. We will now see if the French Cycling Federation wishes to label us for the 2025 season. If this is not the case, I will personally commit to paying the contracts of each rider and replacing them in DNs.
Unfortunately, time is the only thing I couldn't manage, being taken by surprise on both sides, I had to make radical decisions. I have absolutely no regrets. I did it for my riders and for this team, and I accept the consequences. Despite the fact that one can hear anything and everything, no legal proceedings have been initiated against me by the Kone company to date.”
Ten riders signed up with the team which was declared in Privas (Ardèche), including Nathan Vandepitte, Jean-Louis Le Ny and Alexandre Léonien who are coming down from the professional peloton (see the squad).
