Cycling world reacts to HTC collapse

The Twitter airwaves were alive with reactions to Thursday’s surprise announcement that HTC-Highroad would fold at the end of the 2011 season.

Here’s a sampling of what some of the peloton’s key players were writing about the end of the team’s run:

Mark Cavendish (HTC rider): So funny how easily people forget that @HTC SAVED this team 2 years ago. Shouldn’t you hate EVERY company that DOESN’T come into cycling?

Marco Pinotti (HTC rider): Whatever road I will take it’ll always be HIGHROAD.

Craig Lewis (HTC rider): Tough day today in PC. In more ways than one, cycling is a brutal sport.

Alberto Contador (SaxoBank rider): Congratulations to B.Stapleton and the whole HTC Team for these impressive years that have done.It’s a pity it’s not continuity on 2012.

Charlie Wegelius (UHC rider): Rather sad reading about Highroad this morning. Something isn’t right when a team like that doesn’t continue.

Taylor Phinney (BMC rider): Sad to hear about @HTCHighroad. Such a winning team shouldn’t have a problem getting a sponsor. UCI you have a bigger problem than seat tilt

Riche Porte (Saxo Bank rider): Stage 3 Tour of Denmark, raining cats and dogs! Sad to see the demise of HTC, hope it’s early enough for the boys to get teams for 2012.

Jonathan Vaughters (Garmin manager): Anyhow, I hope the rumors re HTC-Highroad are untrue. While we have a fierce rivalry on the road, I respect and admire Bob Stapleton.

William Frotheringham (British journalist): Big shame about HTC. Major blow to the sport. Means Cav likely to be at Sky in 2012

Andrew Talansky (Garmin rider): Sad hearing about Highroad not finding a sponsor. I am very grateful to my team and those who support me in doing what I love for a living.

Steven Cozza (NetApp rider): Sad to hear the news about HTC-HighRoad disbanding at the end of the year. 500 victories and 50 of them in grand tours.

Joe Papp (ex-pro): Stapleton’s failure to secure backing for a 2012 team demands your scrutiny and skepticism. All is not what it seems in this sport.

Alain Rumpf (UCI official): Sad news about Highroad. Always had a great relationship with Bob, his staff and riders. Wishing them all the best – Hope that @TourofBeijing will help preventing such situations by broadening the appeal of the sport and creating new opportunities for teams

Jim Miller (USA Cycling official): Bummer to hear about the end of the road for @HTCHighroad. Unrivaled team management and leadership.