Froome, right, and Thomas have ensured Team Sky have won the Tour de France for the past four years OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty ImagesThe future of Team Sky and some of Britain’s best riders is in jeopardy after the broadcaster surprisingly announced that it was ending its involvement in professional cycling. Sky’s ownership and sponsorship will finish next year after a ten-year period in which Sir Dave Brailsford’s team have achieved remarkable successes, but have also been hit by a series of controversies. The announcement came as a shock to Team Sky’s riders, who were informed only a few hours beforehand, and some have fears for their future unless a new sponsor and owner can come forward with the requisite funding of about £35 million a year. Geraint Thomas, the Tour de France winner, will have two years left on his contract when Sky pulls out at the…

Source: The Times December 12, 2018 09:03 UTC