Deceuninck reportedly intends to honor and possibly extend its sponsorship agreement with Patrick Leferet's Deceuninck-QuickStep team through 2021.

In early April, Deceuninck CEO Francis Van Eckhout announced that he would be meeting with Lefebvre on April 20 to discuss sponsorship after the Spring Classic races were canceled and all races would not take place until at least July 1. We're going to talk about it, and we're assuming that everyone will be even more crazy about (Julien) Alaphilippe and (Remco) Evenpoel, hoping that no other virus will flatten the world in 2021," Van Eekhout, according to Het Laatste Nieuws said.

Like many companies, Belgian PVC window and door manufacturers have seen their business hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and are drastically changing their business plans.

"Going forward, we have to make a decision. Does this add enough value for us?

"Of course, we want to recoup the costs we have spent on sponsorship. The question is whether this will remain so after 2022."

Lefebvre is trying to save as much of its 2020 budget as possible, so some of its staff salaries are covered by Belgian government support. It is unclear whether some team sponsors have cut funding, but Cycling News understands that all player salaries have been paid to date. Other teams, including Mitchelton Scott, CCC Team, EF Pro Cycling, and Astana, have cut player salaries to survive, while others have laid off or temporarily laid off staff.

Lefebvre, like other team managers, wants the Tour de France to be held in September. The French Grand Tour is vital to the survival of many teams, as it accounts for 70 to 80 percent of the sponsor brands' visibility.

Deceuninck-QuickStep, with Alaphilippe, Evenpole, Sam Bennett, and Bob Jungels, had a very successful 2019 season but is dependent on sponsors for survival. It is estimated that 80% of the team budget is riders' salaries.

"Last year, they [team sponsors] were of course spoiled," Lefebvre said of Detunink-Quickstep's 68 wins. 'Now we're not winning as much, but you can't say we're not providing exposure, because we are.'

"Without the Tour, a lot of teams would struggle," Lefebvre told HLN. 'Some teams aren't telling the whole truth about wages, unemployment, and layoffs. I am trying to keep everyone on board, but there is no surplus. If there is no race in August, I honestly don't know anymore and can't even think about it."

"My mother used to say: 'Hope keeps fools alive.' I would say: let's keep hope alive and ...... Let us pray."