The future of the cycling team which has delivered Tour de France wins for Britons Bradley Wiggins, Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas, is in doubt after broadcaster Sky announced it will withdraw backing at the end of 2019.
Team Sky was launched in January 2010 and has since amassed 322 victories, including eight Grand Tour successes but its fair to say the forecast looking quite cloudy for them as they look for a new sponsor.
In the statement the broadcasting giant said:'The decision will bring to a conclusion Sky’s ownership and sponsorship of Team Sky, which will continue to race under a different name if a new backer is secured to provide funding from the beginning of 2020.
'The team will compete as Team Sky for the last time throughout the 2019 road racing season, aiming to add to its total of 322 all-time wins including eight Grand Tours, 52 other stage races and 25 one-day races.
'Sky kicked off its involvement in cycling in 2008 when it joined forces with British Cycling in a mission to increase participation at all levels and support elite success on the track and road.
By the end of that partnership in 2016, nearly two million people had been inspired to cycle regularly and the Great Britain Cycling Team had achieved unprecedented medal success at three Olympic Games.'
Dave Brailsford, Team Sky Principal, added: “The vision for Team Sky began with the ambition to build a clean, winning team around a core of British riders and staff.
'The team’s success has been the result of the talent, dedication and hard work of a remarkable group of people who have constantly challenged themselves to scale new heights of performance.'
All very fine and grand.
However there is no escaping the fact that the sport globally is in crisis.
Crisis in governance and crisis in terms of public support.
Even in Ireland, the famous Ras na hEireann doesnt have a sponsor.
Could all this stem from incredulity about the achievements of clean cyclists at the highest level?
I will leave that with you!
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