Germany: Another one bites the dust

Another German race is disappearing from the calendar, as it was announced Thursday morning that the SparkassenCup in Villingen-Schwenningen will no longer be held.

Race organiser Sauser Sport & Event Management GmbH said, "We are very sorry that our very first event, with which we founded our company ten years ago, can no longer be held."

It was announced last month that sponsor Rothaus Brauerei was withdrawing its support from the GP Triberg and the SparkassenCup. The Sparkasse, a bank chain, reviewed its sponsorship and decided to cancel as well.

After considering various options, the organiser decided that "there was no sense in a smaller version" of the race. In addition, "We have been aware for a long time that this could happen because of the ongoing doping problems."

The last edition of the race, held this year, was won by Team Columbia's Gerald Ciolek.