Vuelta champ Cobo has his team Geox disappear

Juan Jose Cobo signed a new contract with Geox-TMC on Monday and on Thursday found himself without a team as the squad’s main sponsor, Italian shoe maker Geox, pulled its sponsorship. The UCI announced that stranded riders are free to seek contracts with other teams.

It’s rather late in the season for a team to fold, and after the diaspora of HTC riders and with new gang GreeEdge having nearly filled its roster, Geox cyclists beyond heavies like Cobo and Denis Menchov will have to scramble to find a ride. 2008 Tour de France winner Carlos Sastre must be relieved that he recently announced his retirement.

Geox has been around in various incarnations since it was established as Saunier-Duval in 2004. After its spell as the atrociously uniformed Footon-Servetto-Fuji, it emerged as a Pro Continental team this season. Denied wild-cards at the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France, Geox exploded in the Vuelta a Espana with Cobo’s shocking win. Geox also won the team competition.

There’s plenty of speculation that Saxo Bank – Sungard may scoop up one or both of Cob and Menchov to counter the combined power of Radioshack Nissan Trek.