As the UCI prepares to announce sanctions against Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, Look and Kolyma have announced that they will suspend their sponsorship of the Russian Gazprom-Rusvelo professional team.

On Monday, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted to recommend to the UCI and other international sports federations that athletes and officials from Russia and Belarus, an accomplice in the invasion of Ukraine, not be allowed to participate in the Games. In addition, Australian cycling federation AusCycling told Cycling News that it would not allow Russian or Belarusian national teams to compete in this year's world championships in Australia.

FIFA and UEFA have banned Russian teams and clubs from their respective soccer competitions, but the UCI has yet to issue a response to the IOC's recommendation; the UCI told Cyclingnews it would issue a statement on the matter sometime Tuesday.

If the UCI follows the IOC and other sports, the Russian-registered Gazprom-Rusvelo team could be barred from competing in Wednesday's Trofeo Laigueglia and this weekend's Tirreno Adriatico. The title sponsor, Gazprom, is a Russian state-owned energy company that supplies gas to most of Europe.

Czech rider Matthias Vacek won stage 6 of the UAE Tour last week, but it is not clear if this will affect the team's long-term future or if non-Russian athletes will be able to continue racing.

The team's management company is registered in Switzerland. However, several athlete agents told Cycling News that they are preparing for the impact of the UCI decision.

The major technical sponsors have chosen not to wait for the UCI decision. Look is supplying the frame and pedals, and Colima is supplying the wheels to the team. Other major technical sponsors include Campagnolo, Elite, Rimmer, Prologo, Northwave, and Training Peaks.

In a social media post, Look and Colima announced in a similar message that "In light of recent shocking and inexcusable news, we have decided to cease our technical support and partnership with the Gazprom Rusvelo cycling team."

"We see sport as a way to bring nations together and have been and will continue to support athletes of all nationalities. We join with many athletes and their call to peace," Luc said.