November 29/12 9:51 am - Exergy Ends Men's Team Sponsorship

Posted by Editoress on 11/29/12
 

Idaho-based Exergy Development Group CEO James Carkulis has announced that his company will not continue its sponsorship of the Team Exergy men's Continental squad next year, according to a statement he issued this week.  Among the riders affected is Canadian Criterium champion Ben Chaddock.

Ben Chaddock winning 2012 National Crit Championships

Exergy has had financial issues in recent months due to cancelled projects, and has fallen behind on sponsorship commitments for a number of U.S. cycling series, including the US GP of Cyclo-cross, the Exergy Tour and the USA Pro Cycling Challenge.  Despite that, Carkulis insists that the withdrawal is due to corruption within cycling.

Carkulis said in his statement: "I am totally disheartened to have to place our sponsor dollars for our disciplined men’s team on hiatus for the 2013 season, but there is no choice given the corruption prevalent within the sport.  The magnitude of this situation should not be taken lightly and ignoring the severity is not going to rebuild the public’s trust in the sport."

"This has not been an easy decision, but one shared by our team management. In cooperation with management, we will ensure that each rider is placed and provided for. Exergy will not sit idly by, but intends to offer up rational solutions over the next month which regenerates the greatness of this perfect synthesis between man and machine."

The company did say that it will continue to support the women's team - Exergy TWENTY16 and USA Cycling development programs.