Energy company Enovos ends its associations with Team RadioShack-Nissan
Team RadioShack-Nissan resulted after two of the strongest UCI World Tour sides, Team Leopard Trek and Team RadioShack announced their merger for the 2012 season.
The team looked as one of the strongest side on paper but despite being amongst the most expensive squads, it has failed to do justice in the first half of the 2012 season.
The team has faced numerous setbacks right through the start of the year and it appears as if the things have not gotten any better.
The latest news revealed that, Envoy the energy company has announced to end its support for the team earlier this week.
The company has noted that the main reason behind their decision to terminate the support is because the team is carrying a poor image and is also damaging the firm’s reputation.
"Unfortunately, the 2012 season did not bring the desired results," the statement reads. "Considering only the sports section, this is part of the risk of sponsoring”.
"Too many negatives have occured since the beginning of the year”.
“Finally, the withdrawal of Fränk Schleck from the 2012 Tour de France, following an abnormal result from doping control, led Enovos to reconsider its partnership with RadioShack-Nissan Trek”.
“Therefore, the sponsorship agreement is terminated by Enovos with effect from 1 August 2012”.
Team General Manager Johan Bruyneel has been accused of administering and trafficking the UCI banned substance in the USADA/Lance Armstrong case.
Frank Schleck’s positive doping test also damaged the team’s image as the cyclist is accused of using performance enhancing drug at the contest.
The Sample-B confirmed the presence of Xipamide in Frank’s blood and he had to abandon the race.
The team has also struggled to bag any victories in the season, Andy Schleck was supposed to lead the team at the Tour de France but a knee injury prevented him from riding the event.
Andy is considered as one of the finest stage race cyclist and his exclusion from the contest was a real blow at the team’s plans for the French Grand Tour.
He secured the podium in the past three editions of the race and was a pre-race favourite which would have lifted the team’s confidence.
Only time will tell, if Johan Bruyneel succeeds in securing a new sponsor for the 2013 season to mark a fresh start with the team.
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