Motorpoint-Marshalls Pasta's future hangs in the balance

Leading domestic team Motorpoint-Marshalls Pasta's future hangs in the balance.

"Something might be resurrected," team head Phil Griffiths said to Cycling Weekly this morning.

The problem is believed to stem from sponsorship issues, but Griffiths also expressed his displeasure at what he calls the "day of the agent".

"I've been in this business for 27 years, and haven't got a deal with Assos, Pinarello, anyone. It's done on my word, on trust," said Griffiths, who runs product distributor Yellow Ltd.

"I've got riders eating pasta at my table, driving my fast cars, sleeping in my house; I've shaken hands with Ed Clancy, but agents are coming in. The day of the agent is upon us, and I'm not sure I can be done with it."

The first confirmed departure is Andy Tennant, who is going to Rapha-Condor-Sharp for 2011.

"I've let Tennant go, because I won't deal with agents," Griffiths said. "I asked him 'what do you want for next year,' and he said 'speak to my agent,' and I said 'er, what?'

Tennant declined to comment on the matter when Cycling Weekly contacted him.

If their future is secured, Motorpoint have a fight on their hands to keep their other riders. CW believes that Olympic gold medallist Ed Clancy is close to signing a deal with Rapha-Condor-Sharp, with Ian Bibby also near the exit door.

"It's a bit of a shock, I thought it was all fine for next year. It's looking like it might be back on track. Fingers crosed," said Motorpoint rider Jonny McEvoy.

The Motorpoint team, also home to the likes of Malcolm Elliott and Olympic medallist Steven Burke, won the Tour Series this year.

More to come later.

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