After two very successful years together, the decision is one that did not come easily, according to Felt Sports Marketing Director Doug Martin.

Commenting on Felt Bicycles' decision not to extend its sponsorship agreement with Team Argos-Shimano, company founder Jim Felt said "Felt has always been a company that raced and the last two years with Team Argos-Shimano have been tremendous. Our decision to not re-up with the team is one we toiled over. Almost before our very eyes the likes of Marcel Kittel, John Degenkolb, Warren Barguil and Tom Dumoulin have become household cycling names, something we will always relish."

"Our track record of developing talented teams and athletes is one we are very proud of and we stand committed to the sport. But, it is time for us to look to new opportunities. This is in no way to say we do not support road racing at the very highest level. We whole-heartedly do and we will continue to. However, we wanted to move some of the sponsorship pieces around."

"On behalf of the entire team, we would like to thank Felt for their support over the last two years. Felt Bicycles was part of a very important period of the project and we experienced many great moments together. The bikes were fantastic, the partnership was warm and the cooperation was always good", Team Argos-Shimano General Manager Iwan Spekenbrink explained.

Jim Felt used the opportunity to praise the management team which runs the Argos-Shimano team. "Iwan Spekenbrink runs a first-class program and we are very proud that we could be part of the team's rise to the WorldTour ranks and all of the victories that followed. We wish the whole program continued success moving forward."

Felt Bicycles failed to respond to an email asking if the company would be sponsoring a different professional cycling team in 2014 or not be present in WorldTour races at all.

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