Team Sky: Chris Froome hopes team can survive owner withdrawal - BBC Sport
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome says Team Sky will "be doing everything we can" to survive Sky's withdrawal.
Four-time Tour de France winner Chris Froome says Team Sky will "be doing everything we can" to survive once their owner and main sponsor pulls out at the end of 2019.

Broadcaster Sky announced earlier on Wednesday that it would end its decade-long commitment after next season.

"I can't predict the future, but this is a really special team," said Froome, who won the Giro d'Italia in May.

"We plan to be together in 2020 if at all possible."

The British rider added: "We will all be doing everything we can to help make that happen - in different colours with a new partner, but with the same values, focus and desire to win."

Other riders on Team Sky's books include reigning Tour de France champion Geraint Thomas, Colombian prospect Egan Bernal, Dutchman Wout Poels, England's Ian Stannard and Wales' Luke Rowe.

In an open letter to fans, the team admitted their future was in doubt.

"If we can find a new long-term partner to take the team forward into a new era, then we will do so," it read.

"Equally, any future partner would have to be the right partner - one who shares our ethos and buys in to our values."

Froome, whose contract with Team Sky runs until the end of the 2020 season, paid tribute to the team's current backers.

When they were launched in 2010, Team Sky's ambition of delivering a first British Tour de France winner by 2015 was seen as ambitious.

They achieved that goal three years ahead of schedule thanks to Sir Bradley Wiggins' 2012 success. Between him, Froome and Thomas, Team Sky have won the yellow jersey in six of the past seven races.

Speaking to BBC Sport from a training camp in Mallorca, Froome said he had only been told the news on Tuesday evening.

"Naturally we were all surprised to hear the news," he said. "But at the same time we've got to remain optimistic and not lose focus on what we're trying to do.

"We've got big goals next year to win a lot of bike races. My target will be on the Tour de France and I've got every confidence if we can have a season next year that's similar to previous seasons, we'll be able to find another sponsor."

Froome said he did not think the decision would impact on his chances of winning a fifth Tour de France title.

"Nothing's changing in the team right now. We've got one more year to race and I think, if anything, it's given us even more motivation to go out and have the best season possible next year."

Team principal Sir Dave Brailsford claimed Sky's withdrawal was a "new opportunity" and a "natural" decision after 10 years in the sport.

"We know in life things change. When things do change you stay calm, bring the group together, stay strong and look for opportunities. Go out there with energy and excitement and build something new," he told BBC Sport. "I like to build things, I'm an optimist."

Brailsford said he'd like Team Sky to be remembered for its "impact on participation", "winning a lot" and being a "really high performing team" that "set high standards".

He also said he had already received calls "expressing interest", adding the future "looks very good" and said he takes his "responsibility very seriously" to make sure the team have a "secure future".

Asked about the reaction to the news from Froome and Thomas he said it had been "absolute class" and showed why they are "big champions on and off the bike".

'Hopefully it's not the end' - Thomas

Thomas confirmed the possibility of Sky ending their sponsorship was not raised during his contract renewal talks, with the Welshman having signed a new three-year deal in September.

He said the news was a "shock" and "disappointing" but that he was "excited" for the future direction of the team.

"It's been an incredible nine years so far and we want to go out on a high and make 2019 the last and the best year yet," he told BBC Sport.

"We're still confident in Dave and the team that they can continue and keep the team together.

"A lot of other teams have lost title sponsors but have continued - Movistar has been going for over 30 years with different sponsors.

"It's certainly not the end, or at least hopefully it's not the end, so it's also kind of exciting at the same time. It just gives everyone a bit more motivation to keep pushing on."