Cycling: PureBlack Racing to no longer compete overseas

BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner says the PureBlack Racing team would race only domestically. Photo / Supplied

BikeNZ has confirmed PureBlack Racing is no longer registered as a continental trade team.

The team's management has told riders to look for opportunities elsewhere next year.

BikeNZ CEO Kieran Turner told Radio Sport today that the team would race only domestically at best.

"All it means is that they're not going to compete at a certain level of international events overseas so they wouldn't be able to go and do a number of the UCI races like they have done in the past,'' he said.

James Williamson hopes his now former PureBlack Racing teammates are able to find new jobs in cycling.

The national champion has signed to race for UK team Node 4 next season after PureBlack told its riders to look for other opportunities.

"We certainly weren't the only riders in teams in that situation so you really just have to be looking forward,'' he said.

PureBlack and sponsors Avanti are still looking at options for next year and beyond but they are likely to be domestic based.