Team Volksbank looking for new name sponsor

By Susan Westemeyer

Team Volksbank-Corratec is looking for a new name sponsor. The Austrian bank group Volksbank has announced that it will no longer be the team's main sponsor after 10 years, and will concentrate on the country's ski-jumping team.

"Volksbank is withdrawing as our main sponsor, but will continue to support the team in a smaller way," team spokesman Michael Fruhmann told Cyclingnews. "Our budget for 2009 is more or less secured. The team will continue to exist – but the place next to Corratec is available..."

Thomas Kofler, team manager of the Austrian Professional Continental team, was optimistic and told the Austrian TV sender ÖRF, "New doors are opening, there is no panic. I think that next year we will continue to ride at a high level."

Corractec, a German bike manufacturer, signed on as co-sponsor the end of August.