Roman Van Uden with his Sprint Champion jersey at the Tour of Utah ©Lyne Lamoureux

The smiles the riders had on Friday night while celebrating Mike Northey's NZ Criterium title turned to tears on Saturday morning when they were told their big plans for 2012 were all but over.

The team lacked the sponsorship funds it needed to continue and despite emergency talks with various parties, the funding gap could not be resolved in time to satisfy the UCI registration timeline.

Their plans to spend the season racing in Spain, their hard fought invitations to top events, their plan to showcase NZ and its top riders in the heart of the home of cycling - gone.

Given the timing, what is also gone is the opportunity to hunt around for other non-amateur teams to join. 

In the days and weeks to come there will be many questions asked; about timing, about whether their plans were too big too fast, and about what the riders and team can salvage for 2012 and beyond.

For now, however, many of the riders who raced with the team this year have taken to Facebook to acknowledge the experiences they've had, and to thank those who made it happen and who dared to dream big. 

"After some devastating news over the weekend and coming to terms with the fact that a collective dream may be over,  I have to send out a huge thank you to all of those that made 2011 such a great success!" wrote Roman Van Uden.

With permission from the riders, their Facebook updates are shown below. Although their plans are in turmoil, they each recognise that being a part of PureBlack Racing was something special. The dream of taking a Kiwi team to the Tour de France in 2015 might have derailed for now, but this group of Kiwis have shown that the barriers for this little country are not lack of talent.

Mike Northey Sprint Ace - San Dimas Stage Race ©PureBlack Racing

The team punched above its weight in the US, they sprinted, climbed, and rode agressively to success while earning the respect of other riders, event organisers and media alike - I know, I was often sent unsolicitered emails about them.

RoadCycling.co.nz talked to team Business Director Greg Cross the day the team announcement was made. To say he was devastated doesn't begin to reflect his mood.

It is too soon to speculate on what 2012 holds but there are still discussions being held. Could the team even get back on track if a sponsor could be found immediately given the UCI timeframes have passed?

What Mr Cross did indicate was that the team would be unlikely to turn into a domestic team. That was never their plan, they were all about showcasing Kiwi talent on the cycling world stage.

"To prove yourself you have to compete against the best in the world,"  Team Manager Carl Williams said when he launched his vision back in July 2010.

"That requires dedication, complete professionalism and a total team approach. We're not in that position yet, but with the talent we have available, their commitment and the backing of a superb organisation, we know we can be.

"My goal is to see PureBlack Racing competing in Europe against the world's premiere cycling teams."

As of now, the reality is the riders are free to find a new future and a new path to World Tour success.

It's not just the riders who took on the US this season who are affected though. Spare a thought for Michael Torckler who missed this season due to injury and has worked incredibly hard to get back to peak physical form - the best in his life, he told RoadCycling.co.nz after winning the Taupo Challenge a few weeks ago. 

There are also new signings Joe Cooper and Joe Lewis who did not even have one ride in the team colours.

But for now, let's do as the riders themselves have done and say thanks to Carl Williams and Greg Cross and to all the PureBlack Racing team for moving the vision of NZ cycling forward.

Update: Mr Cross told RoadCycling.co.nz tonight that the team has had an incredible amount of support since Sunday's announcement and a few new discussions have begun. "We have not given up hope, we are still trying hard," he said.

Rider's Facebook comments

Leading the way at JMSR ©Tom Ewart

Roman Van Uden

After some devastating news over the weekend and coming to terms with the fact that a collective dream may be over, I have to send out a huge thank you to all of those that made 2011 such a great success! I know the management at PBR slaved day and night to pull something together so that us, the riders, could continue doing something we loved.

Without the support from Amanda Till and her team at Avanti bikes, this year would not have come about at all. To my teammates, what a year aye!? I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to live and race with you all. It was an amazing experience and one that no team will ever be able to match.

2011 was the year 12 mates put blood, sweat and tears on the line for each other for a greater goal. Finally, Thank You to all those who supported us along the way. We couldn't have done it without you and we owe everything to those who believed in our dream. For me, that dream lives on, albeit on a different pathway...

Taylor Gunman

It is easy to talk about your dreams, but it's another thing to act upon them. Carl, Greg and Avanti have done exactly that. To challenge the world in a sport rich in history was never going to be an easy task.

It is a sad that this has happened this way but for everyone involved it has been a unforgettable experience. I have learnt a lot from every rider in the team and will not let this derail my ambitions. The aggressive racing style set the scene alight and built up an amazing brand both overseas and back home. It is more evidence of Kiwis taking on the world and succeeding. Thank You for all the support.

Mike Northey

Cheers to Greg Carl and Avanti for an incredible year. You gave us all an amazing opportunity and something most of us may have never experienced. It is better to have tried than not have tried at all.

James Williamson

Unfortunately the end of a dream came this weekend. Couldn't had it any better than what we had at PureBlack, we achieved more than we could have imagined and had so much fun along the way. Disappointing that we only got to show America what we have and didn't get to take on the euro scene. Massive thanks to all those behind the team and all our supporters, and of course all the PBR boys for being awesome teammates and more importantly good mates, that won't end here.

James McCoy

Big thanks to my PureBlack racing teammates, Carl, Greg, Avanti and the rest of the crew!!! It was an awesome year and so sad it won't continue next year, best wishes to everybody for 2012! Dream Big!!

Daniel Barry

Sad to end such an incredible season with the news that PBR won't be continuing into 2012. I couldn't have asked for a better group of teammates to spend the year with. Huge thanks to Greg, Carl and Avanti for dreaming big and giving us this opportunity.

Louis Crosby

I want to say thank you to everybody who has believed in our combined dream as a team to make it to the highest level of our sport, cycling. Obviously the news is sad but the outcome is determined by how we deal with this as individuals and as a team. You haven't seen the last of me yet.

Mark Langlands

Many thanks for an unforgettable year to Greg, Carl and the rest of the supporters behind PBR. Wouldn't trade 2011 for anything. But as one door closes, another opens and opportunities appear.