CORK, Ireland (BRAIN) — Aqua Blue Sport, a UCI Pro Continental team, will shut down at the end of this season, the team announced Monday.
The team was notable because it launched with an unusual business plan, relying on a team-owned "multi-retailer online marketplace" site for part of its funding. The squad also stood out for its choice of single-chainring 3T road bikes, marking the first time a 1x group was used regularly in top level road racing.
The 3T sponsorship agreement included the sale of 3T bikes on the team's e-commerce site, aquabluesport.com.
The Ireland-based team counted former U.S. pro road race champion Larry Warbasse among its members. It had been negotiating to acquire another pro team, which apparently would have secured its future, but that agreement fell apart.
In a Twitter announcement Monday, the team said all negotiations with that team have ended.
Dear supporters, please find attached a statement regarding the future of team Aqua Blue Sport. pic.twitter.com/w4Zn2KKIDl
— Aqua Blue Sport (@AquaBlueSport) August 27, 2018
"We, Aqua Blue Sport, started this project over two years ago with huge ambition, gusto and optimism that we could actually make a difference. This year we have found it increasingly difficult to obtain race invitations and recognition from race organizers in how unique and how well supported our project should be."
