Zubeldia - We knew it was coming to an end

Reports emanating this morning has it that electronics retailer RadioShack will stop sponsoring their eponymous team come the end of the current season.

While it's yet to be confirmed by official sources, it appears the riders have known for quite some time.

"This is not new to us", former Euskaltel rider Haimar Zubeldia told the press ahead of Tuesday's second Volta a Catalunya stage.

"We knew that RadioShack as a firm was having trouble and that they would cease to sponsor the team".

As a result of the likely break-up, the Tour de France specialist's future is in jeopardy - yet he doesn't seem all that worried.

"Members of the team have been working on finding a new title sponsor for some weeks already, so we're calm. We've now got a year to show our worth - we won't let this change our plans".

Heading into the third stage in Catalonia, Zubeldia is lying in 64th overall - 48 seconds in arrears.

Photo: RadioShack