Advertisement

Armstrong saga costs Meares sponsors

Anna Meares is hopeful that the corporate world still believes in the credibility of cycling despite the loss of three potential sponsors in the wake of the Lance Armstrong saga.

The Olympic gold medalist has revealed that three new sponsors abandoned negotiations after the scandal broke in August.

Not even a second gold medal in London could overshadow the controversies that have rocked the European road scene.

Meares' revelations come just as car manufacturer Nissan became the second major sponsor to withdraw support from the world tour road team in the off-season.

"With three new contracts of sponsorship in negotiation at the time Lance's news broke, it was sad to see all three contracts pulled with them no longer wanting any interest in the sport of cycling," Meares said.

"It was such bad publicity despite my best efforts to explain that I was a track sprinter...so many people don't understand. But that's to be expected when the biggest star in the sport falls."

Despite the loss, Meares said corporate support for cycling is still strong and she is in good shape heading into the 2016 Rio Olympics.