November 27/07 4:02 am - High Road Sports Continues Elite Cycling Teams after T-Mobile Withdraws

Posted by Editor on 11/27/07
 

High Road Sports Continues Elite Cycling Teams

Earlier today, Duetsche Telecom announced that it would cease sponsorship of the T-Mobile men's and women's teams effective immediately. High Road Sports, which has run the team has announced that it will continue on with both programs, and apply to the UCI to continue with the ProTour men's licence it currently holds as T-Mobile.

The full text of the release by High Road Sports:

High Road Sports, Inc is pleased to announce that its Elite Men's and Women's cycling teams will continue racing in 2008 after T-Mobile has ended its engagement. The teams will now be known as "Team High Road".

High Road Sports, Inc. holds a ProTour Team License and will seek authorization of the change in the team's identity and operations from the governing body, the UCI. High Road and its subsidiaries own the infrastructure of both teams.

"T-Mobile's decision to end its involvement in professional cycling is a challenge for the sport and our team. We will review and adapt our operations, and continue to advance our leadership position in athletic success and commitment to clean and fair sport that began during our work with T-Mobile" says Bob Stapleton of High Road.

2007 was a very successful year for both teams, with the men's ProTourTeam taking 37 victories for the season and the women ending the season as the number one ranked team in the World by the UCI.

"We have an outstanding international roster of exciting young talent backed by proven veteran leadership for 2008" adds Stapleton. "We will likely be the youngest team in the ProTour and believe that together, these athletes can shape the future of the sport with their talent and commitment."

High Road Sports will use the next few weeks in intensive preparation for the 2008 racing season. "We have good options, but plenty of work to do to begin racing in less than 60 days" notes Stapleton. The team is focused on beginning its 2008 campaign with the first Race, the Tour Down Under in Australia in January.