Cycling news - Chris Froome pays tribute to Sky and hopes team stays together
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ByEurosport
Updated 12/12/2018 at 13:21 GMT
Current Giro d'Italia holder Chris Froome has praised Sky for their work with his cycling team and said he hopes the current group can stay together despite the imminent departure of the broadcaster as backers.
Geraint Thomas et Chris Froome (Sky) trinquent au départ de la dernière étape du Tour de France
Image credit: Getty Images
It was confirmed on Wednesday morning that Sky would stop supporting Team Sky at the end of the 2019 season having been behind the team since 2010.
In the statement released by Team Sky team principal Sir Dave Brailsford said he would ideally want the team to stay together with a new backer.
"While Sky will be moving on at the end of next year, the Team is open minded about the future and the potential of working with a new partner, should the right opportunity present itself."
In his statement released on Twitter, Froome echoed Brailsford's comments saying "I can't predict the future but I can say this with absolute certainty, this is a really special team.
We plan to be together in 2020 if at all possible and 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.
Froome, a six-time Grand Tour winner with Team Sky, paid tribute to the backers who had helped him become one of the greatest British cyclists in history.
"First off a massive thank you to Sky," Froome wrote on his social media channels.
"They have been brilliant partners and it's been an incredible journey we have shared together. They have helped me personally every step of the way and I will always be grateful for their support.
And we are not finished yet by any means. Everyone at Team Sky has got big ambitions for 2019 and this news has made us more determined than ever to make them happen.
"And finally to the fans. Your support has always mattered most to us and the messages we have all received today have meant a lot. We look forward to seeing you on the road in January.
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