FRF withdraw sponsorship of Continental team

By Paul Verkuylen

FRF Sports have become the latest sponsor to pull the plug on their sponsorship dollars. The wholesale and distribution company was the title sponsor of the FRF-NSWIS squad based in Sydney, Australia. The team returned from racing the Tour of Qinghai Lake just a week ago and planned to ride the Tour of Gippsland, which starts today.

"FRF have pulled their sponsorship money for the remainder of the season," Andy Portess, the team's manager told Cyclingnews.

"We have released the riders, so they can start looking for other avenues. But we are in negotiations with other sponsors and hope to be able to continue for the rest of the season under another name."

Portess was unable to name the potential new title sponsor, but does hope that the team can continue. The team have standing invitations to races in Asia towards the end of the season.

"We will know more in about a week," Portess said.

All the riders still remain under scholarship with the NSW institute of sport and will continue to be looked after by them for certain races.

A depleted team will contest the Tour of Gippsland which begins today, July 30.

(Editorial assistance and research provided by Susan Westemeyer)