The hugely successful and controversial Team Sky's future is in doubt after executives at broadcast giants Sky decided to end their investment in professional cycling.
Team members, such as four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome and current champion Geraint Thomas, were informed of the decision in Mallorca overnight. Sky News report that team principal Dave Brailsford was shocked to hear the news last week.
The end of Sky's 10-year £150million (€166m) investment following the 2019 season means the team are now on the search for a new owner and sponsor ahead of the 2020 season.
Brailsford said: "While Sky will be moving on at the end of next year, the team is open-minded about the future and the potential of working with a new partner, should the right opportunity present itself.
"For now, I would like to thank all Team Sky riders and staff, past and present - and above all the fans who have supported us on this adventure."
Irish rider Philip Deignan was with Sky for the last four years before retiring last month.
While there has been unprecedented success - their seven yellow jerseys including Bradley Wiggins' historic first for Britain in 2012 - there has also been a lot of controversy.
The British government's digital, culture, media and sport committee earlier this year released a damning report, saying Brailsford, Wiggins and the team had crossed an 'ethical line' over the infamous 'jiffy bag' affair, which MPs believe saw the team administer performance enhancing drugs in the run-up to the Tour de France.
The team has also had to defend Froome when a urine test in 2017 indicated excessive quantities of asthma medication salbutemol during the Vuleta Espana. Cycling's governing body, UCI, determined there was no wrongdoing following an investigation.
