BigMat became the second high profile sponsor to turn their back on cycling this week.

The decision comes 24 hours after Italian firm Mapei announced the end of its near-decade long involvement in cycling.

BigMat partly blamed the pull-out on the decision by the Tour de France organisers not to grant them an invitation for next month's race.

Mapei decided to end its sponsorship of the world's biggest professional cycling team in the wake of the recent Giro d'Italia doping scandals.

"The current situation in cycling, especially after what happened at the Giro d'Italia, has made Mapei decide to stop after 10 years of sponsorship," said team manager Aldo Sassi.

"It's not just a question of money but is also about the image cycling currently gives to the company."

During the Giro d'Italia, Mapei team captain Stefano Garzelli failed a drugs test for a banned substance.

Mapei has been involved in the sport for 10 years, winning almost every major race except for the Tour de France.

Riders informed

The company, which is involved in the building industry, spent approximately �5m a year on cycling.

Mapei team press officer Alessandro Tegner said the 40 riders in the team had been told of the company's decision on Tuesday.

Leading riders in the team include current world champion Oscar Freire of Spain, Cadel Evans of Australia and Italians Andrea Tafi and Daniele Nardello.

"There aren't any particular details at the moment and Mapei may stay involved in cycling in some way but they will not be involved with a professional team," said Tegner.

"A full explanation will be given in the next few days."

Leading Italian rider Paolo Bettini described the decision as a terrible blow for cycling.

"It's bad news for the riders but it's a terrible blow for cycling when a company like Mapei decide to quit," he said.

"It means that cycling is really in a bad way."