Pevenage seeks sponsor for Rock Racing, Ullrich to be advisor

Rudy Pevenage, sports director for the American Continental Rock Racing Team, seems to be moving more and more into the team's management. On Thursday he said that Jan Ullrich may be joining the team as a PR advisor, but noted that the team desperately needs a new sponsor.

Sponsor and team owner Michael Ball's clothing business Rock & Republic is being hit by the world financial crisis, and the team needs a new source of funding, Pevenage told the dpa press agency. "I assume that our team is {financially} assured for this season, but we desperately need a new sponsor. We are holding talks."

He indicated that Ullrich my join the management team in the coming season. "That could be something – maybe next year. Right now we couldn't pay him."

Pevenage and Ullrich have worked together for many years in the past, and continue their close relationship. "We telephone often. He is doing well. Jan will never come back as a rider, he has been hurt too badly for that." Ullrich will be Pevenage's guest next weekend for the Ronde van Vlaanderen.

It is "a lot of fun" to be back in cycling, the 54-year-old said. "We are a good troupe with morale. The riders don't complain, which is nice. If we would be able to at the Tour de France, we would be competitive with the best teams."