Wiesenhof stops sponsorship at end of year

Team Wiesenhof will have to look for a new title sponsor. The sponsor firm Gruppe Wiesenhof announced Thursday that it would end its engagement as of the end of this year.

"The current conditions and developments in professional cycling have brought us to this step," said Peter Wesjohann, a member of the company's board of directors.

Wiesenhof is a Professional Continental team. The company has sponsored various teams since 2001, mostly amateur and junior teams.

"It wasn't an easy decision, especially since there is a great spirit on the current Wiesenhof-Felt team, and they have done good work. We would like to thank our riders and the management. The decision not to extend our contract which expires December 31, 2007, has nothing to do with the team management or riders in any way, but only with the current situation in professional cycling."