Having backed strong teams since 2003, the Colavita squad made the difficult announcement this week that it was stopping in advance of the 2012 season.
Company vice president of marketing and team owner John A. Profaci has commented on the reasons for the decision, blaming a lack of support within the cycling industry as being the reason. “I thought the Colavita sport sponsorship would remain sound as we experienced the most successful season any Colavita pro team -- men or women -- has had over our 10-year span,” he said in a release.
“Without any intention of offending those many wonderful cycling industry companies who have supported our programs for many years, I must admit the direct cause of Colavita ending its women's team title sponsorship was in fact losing key industry supplier support.”
Profaci and others were pushing hard in recent weeks to try to secure that supplier support, but their efforts have been unsuccessful. The result is that the team finds itself in the unexpected position of stopping in a year where it featured reigning world champion Giorgia Bronzini, clocked up 41 victories and appeared on over 100 podiums.
It also took the number one spot on the National Racing Calendar (NRC) best overall team standings for the second consecutive year, as well as having the top three places on the best individual rider standings. Janel Holcomb was the individual title winner as a result of her victories in the Joe Martin Stage Race, Tour de Toona and Cascade Cycling Classic.
Profaci is upset at how things have turned out, but said that the company would continue to maintain a lower involvement in cycling. “This is very difficult for me emotionally,” he said. “However, Colavita will not leave the sport and will continue to support the 14 regional amateur teams that we sponsor around the country.”
The aim will be to back grassroots programs and to help the development of youth and amateur riders in more than 20 US states.