Gerolsteiner still seeking replacement sponsor

After nine months of searching, Hans-Michael Holczer, team manager of Gerolsteiner, has not secured a title sponsor for next season when the German mineral water company ends its involvement with the squad. Holczer has not yet abandoned all hope of finding a financial backer, and hopes a successful Tour de France will convince several interested parties.

"Unfortunately we have not yet found a company to take over the role of Gerolsteiner in 2009," Holczer told Sportwereld.

A final decision on the possible disbanding of the team would take place after the Tour, to allow riders enough time to find new employment. If Holczer's team were to leave the sport, Milram, whose sponsorship runs through the 2009 season, would be the sole surviving German ProTour team, after T-Mobile withdrew in November 2007 and was re-launched as High Road.