Professional cycling loses an important women's team: Team Hitec ceases operations due to lack of funds. The historic Norwegian formation, which has also featured Elisa Longo Borghini, Tatiana Guderzo, Simona Frapporti and other Italian cyclists, closes its doors after eighteen seasons and over one hundred victories.

"With a heavy heart we announce the closure of the team: without funding we cannot continue" reads the statement signed by Karl Lima, team manager of the formation which this season was named Hitec Products - Fluid Control.

Among the most important successes achieved by the Scandinavian formation are the Omloop van het Hageland and the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad won by Emma Johansson in 2011, as well as the Bergamo stage at the 2012 Giro d'Italia, also won by Johansson, and the Trofeo Binda 2013 conquered by Elisa Longo Borghini, not to mention the victories achieved by Kirsten Wild, Audrey Cordon-Ragot and Chloe Hosking, up to the talented 19-year-old Oda Aune Gissinger who secured two victories this season and who from 2027 we will see wearing the Uno-X Mobility jersey.

"We have raced and won at the highest international level and, above all, we have allowed young cyclists to develop and then continue their careers. We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved together" writes Karl Lima in his message. The 62-year-old Norwegian executive closes his message hoping that new generations of cyclists can find teams that help them emerge.

 Many reactions to the official announcement of the cessation of operations: messages of thanks and support, astonishment and disbelief at the closure of a historic team. For the end of an era.