Swedish online gambling company Unibet has decided to end its sponsorship of its professional cycling team which will cause the side to disband at the end of the year.
"Today we have decided to disband the team at the end of the season. Our racers and staff can now seek new employment," Koen Terryn, the team’s general manager, said.
Unibet.com was at the centre of a row which threatened the future of the sport this year after its team was barred from taking part in the Tour de France because organisers said online gambling is banned in the country.
The doping controversies are also set to hit the commercial side of cycling with a number of other sponsors including Audi and Rabobank reviewing their deals at the end of the year.