Oakley states that it is deeply saddened by the outcome
The Oakley eyewear company, which was one of Lance Armstrong’s longest running sponsors, the manufacturer which supported him via its insurance policy during his cancer treatments and the last remaining big backer to remain on board after last week’s exodus, has finally cut links.
The company said last week that it would wait until the UCI ruled on USADA’s sanctions against the American. With cycling’s governing body endorsing USADA’s lifetime ban and the stripping of all of Armstrong’s results since August 1998, Oakley has declared that enough is enough and that it was ending its ties.
“Based on UCI’s decision today and the overwhelming evidence that USADA presented, Oakley has severed its longstanding relationship with Lance Armstrong, effective immediately,” it stated.
“When Lance joined our family many years ago, he was a symbol of possibility. We are deeply saddened by the outcome, but look forward with hope to athletes and teams of the future who will rekindle that inspiration by racing clean, fair and honest.”
However like the other sponsors, it said that it would continue to supporter the goals of the LiveStrong Foundation.