No more HTC-Columbia ...

[MichaelB]

HTC - Columbia disbands

Why oh why couldn't the most successful team secure a sponsor ....

Has the world gone mad ?

Who will go where now ?

The Velits twins have gone and a couple of others, but where will the other key players go ?

[JV911]

amazing that such a successful team can't find a sponsor

[wombatK]

Could be an opportunity for GreenEdge to pick-up some reallllly good riders - if their pockets are deep enough

[Oxford]

wow, how many stages did Cavendish win at le Tour and that isn't enough? what a shame, but maybe good for Green Edge.

[winstonw]

It sucks that huge profit multinationals don't get involved.
I don't think I've ever seen the companies below as primary sponsors.

IT companies
Apple, Cisco, Google, IBM, Intel, AT&T, Oracle, Microsoft
Miners and Oilers
BHP Billiton, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Conoco Philips
Banks
JP Morgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo,
Manufacturers
Johnson and Johnson
Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer, Merck, Abbott
Misc
GE, Walmart, Proctor and Gamble, Coke, Pepsi

[trailgumby]

amazing that such a successful team can't find a sponsor

It's a value equation. HTC-Columbia might have priced themselves out of the market.

With GFC Mk II unfolding as we speak (B&M retailers suffering, ASX300 down > 4% today), retailers and manufacturers would have been noticing the signs of weakening demand for some months already.

[winstonw]

With GFC Mk II unfolding as we speak (B&M retailers suffering, ASX300 down > 4% today), retailers and manufacturers would have been noticing the signs of weakening demand for some months already.

Well, the gold and silver producers could well and truly afford a sponsorship in this economic environment.
THough don't suppose they need to advertise to convince people to buy their product, at least not me

[wagr1213]

We should think ourselves lucky to have witnessed this team in action! They certainly showed how pro cycling is all about team work, amply reflected in their trophy cabinet!

It will certainly be interesting to see which teams will step up to the plate and do the driving of the peleton in the future when it is required.

Most disappointing will be the possible break up of the 2 Marks

+1 for a sprinter named Renshaw at Greenedge.

[velocopedant]

It sucks that huge profit multinationals don't get involved.
I don't think I've ever seen the companies below as primary sponsors.

IT companies
Apple, Cisco, Google, IBM, Intel, AT&T, Oracle, Microsoft
Miners and Oilers
BHP Billiton, Exxon Mobil, Chevron, Conoco Philips
Banks
JP Morgan, Bank of America, Citigroup, Wells Fargo,
Manufacturers
Johnson and Johnson
Pharmaceuticals
Pfizer, Merck, Abbott
Misc
GE, Walmart, Proctor and Gamble, Coke, Pepsi

I think cycling has enough issues with parmaceuticals. Maybe we should pass if these guys offer.

[JV911]

[I think cycling has enough issues with parmaceuticals. Maybe we should pass if these guys offer.

omega pharma?

[sogood]

With GFC Mk II unfolding as we speak (B&M retailers suffering, ASX300 down > 4% today), retailers and manufacturers would have been noticing the signs of weakening demand for some months already.

While HTC is getting squeezed by iOS...

[Chris249]

Bugger. As others have said, it was a privilege to watch the HTC express in action over the final ks.

[Baldy]

When some people question why others wear teamkit, with the argument of why dont they object to giving "free" advertising?

This is why.

That is aside from liking how they look and simply showing your support for a rider or team. I dont think it hurts to support the people who back the sport[all things being equal]

Bit of a shame I guess but things change, it makes things interesting from my perspective. I'm not a fan of the train at all. I prefer watching guys like McEwen, Petacchi do their thing. Not that I think this is the end of the train,sadly. Just look at Garmin and Sky.

[RonK]

I'm not at all sorry to see them go. Stage after stage of watching an escape chased down for a sprint finish had me bored <removed>, and I was delighted to see that this years TdF had fewer sprint stages. It was a far more interesting and exciting tour for the change. I'd much rather watch the tremendous displays of courage and endurance on the tough hilly stages than to see some ponce suck wheel until the last few hundred meters then get towed up to the front.


Mod Says: Please read the rules on language as we have a family audience.

[Toolish]

I'm not at all sorry to see them go. Stage after stage of watching an escape chased down for a sprint finish had me bored ........, and I was delighted to see that this years TdF had fewer sprint stages. It was a far more interesting and exciting tour for the change. I'd much rather watch the tremendous displays of courage and endurance on the tough hilly stages than to see some ponce suck wheel until the last few hundred meters then get towed up to the front.

You really think HTC being gone is going to change this? As stated above Sky and Garmin are already following the trend, and with Cav gonig to Sky they will definately keep the train alive.

[Christine Tham]

Remind me not to choose HTC for my next phone ...

[sogood]

Remind me not to choose HTC for my next phone ...

It was never on my long list.

[RonK]

You really think HTC being gone is going to change this? As stated above Sky and Garmin are already following the trend, and with Cav gonig to Sky they will definately keep the train alive.

There will always be sprinters. But neither Garmin nor Sky are going to focus exclusively upon sprinting in the way HTC did, unless they are going to completely restructure their rosters and get rid of Wiggins and other GC contenders, which I very much doubt.