Mitsubishi team clarifies Jartazi sponsorship

Comments made by Mitsubishi-Jartazi team manager Patrick Stallaert this week were widely interpreted to mean that Jartazi would be ending its role as secondary title sponsor, but Stallaert clarified on Friday that this is not the case. "It is not Jartazi's intention to disappear from the team," Stallaert told Sportwereld.be. "They will surely continue as clothing sponsor and if we can't find another second sponsor, then they will continue."

Stallaert hopes to establish a good financial situation. "We especially want to make the way free for a company with more financial support. The second name of the team will be free and perhaps we can work next year with a larger budget," he explained.

The team has been hampered by the UCI's restrictions on its wild card status and the lack of invitations for the Spring Classics. "Although we were not invited to start this year in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Amstel Gold Race, I have decided to seek more financial scope for next season. Thus we can try to take the team one step higher and not have these disappointments again."