Although the search for a new sponsor for the Milram team was an unproductive one, team general manager Gerry Van Gerwen intends to keep searching during 2011. He is determined to track down a new backer, having no intention of walking away from the sport.
“The van Gerwen family will continue with its engagement in international cycling and especially in Germany,” it said in a statement. “We will continue with our search for a new team sponsor and hope to return soon to the peloton.”
The Dutchman has a long history in the sport, winning the Ronde van Drenthe in 1973, a stage in the Tour de Picardie in 1977 and racing with a number of teams including DAF Trucks. After his retirement, he acted as a criterium manager for Dutch riders. He began working with Team Milram (then known as Team Domina Vacanze) in 2005, acting firstly as commercial manager and then taking over as main team manager after Gianluigi Stanga left at the end of the 2007 season.
He has known for some time that Milram’s backers were going to stop, and has worked hard to try to line up a new sponsor. However that search was unsuccessful and, finally, after months of holding off on the announcement, the team has officially confirmed that things have come to an end.
“Unfortunately we were not able to find a new name sponsor for the team,” it stated, finally making it official. “What remains is a feeling of sadness and disappointment for all involved, all of whom love cycling.
“Our appreciation goes to the whole team, whose tireless efforts with helping hands and hearts brought about the problem-free flow of work behind the scenes and on the race course. We also especially want to acknowledge the many friends who energetically supported us.”
The team had a solid final season, clocking up twelve victories. These include stages in Tirreno-Adriatico, the Volta a Cataluna and Bayern Rundfarht (with Linus Gerdemann, Paul Voss and Gerald Ciolek respectively), the Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt (Fabian Wegmann), and the German and Dutch national championships (Christian Knees and Niki Terpstra).
Some, but not all, of the riders have found new contract. They are preparing for the new season, while Van Gerwen will take a break over Christmas and then keep searching in 2011.