Following the announcement that T-Mobile would with draw from the sport, there was speculation that other sponsors would follow Adidas was the first to announce that it would follow T-Mobile's lead, so too Audi. Giant who have supported the team since 2004, have remained as the official bike sponsor and now Shimano along with its private brand PRO have announced that they too will continue as equipment supplier to the team.
"For Shimano it was not even a question to continue or not after T-Mobile's withdrawal from the team. Shimano keeps on supporting professional cycling especially in these difficult times. Team High Road Sports is one of the leading teams in the peloton in all aspects and therefore this was a very easy decision. The philosophy of Bob Stapleton and his team is the right and only way to go for professional cycling in the future," Hennie Stamsnijder, Shimano's sports marketing manager said.
