Race organisers announced they will not hold the GP Buchholz this year due to lack of sponsors. The race, traditionally held on Father's Day, is part of a large number of German races not held in 2009.
"Ever since last August, when I started making preparations, the talks with sponsors were difficult," Udo Krapf told the Hamburger Abendblatt.
The main backer, newspaper Nordheide Wochenblatt, had decided not to continue its funding for 2009. "At this point I thought to start looking to sign up first-class riders for the race. But I don't have the necessary money. I have to put an end to it."
There are two reasons for the sponsorship problem, Krapf explained: cycling's doping problem and the current economic problems. "You notice that many firms are insecure right now, and since they don't know what their financial situation will be in the summer, then sport sponsorship is one of the first things they cross off their list."
The 2008 edition of the GP Buchholz was won by Milram's Björn Schröder. Previous winners include Fabian Wegmann, Rolf Aldag, Danilo Hondo and Erik Zabel. (SW)
