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The supervisor of the Bolton Equities Black Spoke crew confirmed at present that the crew has been compelled to disband after failing to safe sponsors for the 2024 season.
“All good issues should ultimately finish, and regrettably, Black Spoke isn’t any exception. I’m saddened to announce that we have now been unable to safe the sponsors required for the 2024 season, and Black Spoke will conclude on the finish of this yr,” basic supervisor Scott Guyton wrote in an announcement.
The crew largely consisted of riders from New Zealand, racing domestically at first in New Zealand via 2020, whereas the nation’s borders had been closed via the COVID-19 pandemic, then progressing onto the world stage. Initially Bolton Equities Black Spoke was a Continental crew and after ending 2022 in twenty fourth spot on the UCI crew rankings, the best positioned Continental squad, it stepped as much as develop into New Zealand’s first UCI ProTeam in 2023.
The crew delivered its 20 riders a full season of racing in Europe and Asia. Wins included the Tour of Taihu Lake, stage 3 of the Tour of Langkawi plus stage 1 of Tour of Hainan with George Jackson, the NZ Cycle Traditional with James Oram, together with the Oceania time trial title taken by Tom Sexton and James Fouché’s Grand Prix Cerami win in addition to Rory Townsend’s victory at La Roue Tourangelle.
Of the riders on the crew this season, 4 have introduced contracts for 2024, with New Zealand riders Aaron Gate and Jackson heading to Burgos-BH, Britain’s Mark Stewart goes to Corratec and Eire’s Rory Townsend to Q36.5. Belgian trainee Victor Vercouillie can be heading to Workforce Flanders-Baloise.
The group had already flagged in September that it could now not race as a ProTeam in 2024. At the moment mentioned it was working towards returning to the Continental division because it offered a extra sustainable pathway, however with Bolton Equities shifting to a non-title sponsor it wanted extra sponsors to proceed.
“We contemplate ourselves lucky to have had the chance to guide all these concerned on this outstanding crew. It is a bittersweet ending, as we have established one thing actually vital and distinctive. Black Spoke has undeniably made a mark on New Zealand’s biking historical past.
“The final 4 years wouldn’t have been attainable with out the monetary backing and fervour from Murray and Talei Bolton,” Guyton wrote, calling the sponsors “among the many most beneficiant and motivated individuals I’ve ever met. Your unwavering dedication to Black Spoke has not solely formed careers however has additionally left a long-lasting impression on the biking panorama in New Zealand. Your imaginative and prescient for Black Spoke has offered invaluable alternatives for Kiwi cyclists to shine on the worldwide stage.
“Whereas this marks the conclusion of Black Spoke, my hope is the legacy it leaves behind will proceed to encourage and encourage the biking group in New Zealand and past. The affect it has had on the game and the alternatives it has offered for Kiwi cyclists to shine on the worldwide stage are a testomony to the imaginative and prescient and dedication of everybody concerned.”
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