Sky to end backing of Team Sky in 2019

Broadcaster Sky says it will pull its backing of the cycling outfit Team Sky in 2019.

Team Sky was launched in January 2010 and has since amassed 322 victories, including eight Grand Tour successes.

A Team Sky statement said: "Team Sky will continue to race under a different name if a new backer is secured to provide funding from the beginning of 2020." 

The company has brought an unparalleled amount of funding to a cycling team and has transformed the look of Grand Tour racing. The suffocating and dominating style, often not the most exciting for viewers, has drawn critics – particularly in France.

The team has not helped its own image, following a string of controversies including the still unrevealed contents of a Jiffy bag delivered to Sir Bradley Wiggins during competition and Chris Froome’s Salbutamol case, which was dropped by cycling’s world governing body the UCI.

On top of this, a scathing report by a parliamentary committee concluded that Team Sky had "crossed the ethical line" over their use of medical exemptions for banned drugs.

It is unclear whether the negative headlines, despite the wins, influenced Sky’s decision to withdraw. It is understood the move was partly influenced by the £30bn takeover of the satellite broadcaster by media giant Comcast.