Doping stench scares off cycling sponsors

T-Mobile is to end sponsorship of its cycling team after a succession of doping scandals.

Deutsche Telekom which has been sponsoring cycling since 1991 said it had negotiated a deal to end its contract with the team that had been due to run until 2010.

It is said both parties had agreed to keep the terms confidential.

Less than two weeks ago, T-Mobile rider Patrik Sinkewitz was given a one-year ban for taking illegal substances.

In June, several former T-Mobile riders, including Tour de France winner Bjarne Riis, admitted past doping.