Gazprom-RusVelo, the Russian ProContinental team, has lost some key sponsors due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The news comes just days after the team celebrated winning stage 6 at UAE Tour with its 19-year-old Czech rider Mathias Vacek.
The team has now lost the support of both LOOK and the company it owns, Corima. Both brands posted an identical statement on social media announcing they had withdrawn their support from the Russian team.
"We, LOOK Cycle, think of sport as a means to unite nations and have always supported and will continue to support athletes of all nationalities," the statement from LOOK said.
"We join the multitudes of athletes on their call for peace. That being said, in light of the recent shocking and unforgivable news, we have decided to stop our technical support and partnership with the Gazprom-RusVelo Cycling Team."
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It is unclear how the withdrawal of backing will impact the team, which races on LOOK bikes. However, it is scheduled to ride Trofeo Laigueglia in Italy tomorrow, Wednesday, followed by Tirreno-Adriatico next week.
LOOK had said just last weekend it had no plans to withdraw its backing from the team, adding it was an international pro cycling team based in Italy. However, since then Russia's assault on Ukraine has accelerated and the international community has ramped up sanctions on Russia and Russian interests.
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In the sporting context, these sanctions have extended to Russia as a nation, Russian teams and individual Russian athletes.
Aside from the statements by LOOK and Corima today, Australian Cycling has also said, as of now, teams and riders from Russia or Belarus would not be permitted to compete in the World Road Championships in Wollongong in September.
The
International Olympic Committee has already called for international sporting
federations and event organisers to stop Russian and Belarusian athletes taking
part in international events. Belarus is also being targeted as it allowed its
territory to be used for part of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
