BERLIN, Nov 27, 2008 (AFP) – German milk-product manufacturers Milram are considering an early exit from their multi-million euro sponsorship of the professional cycling team, a report claims here on Thursday.

According to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the company are already taking legal advice about whether they can finish their contract before it expires in 2010.

The current sponsorship contract is reported to be worth eight million euros (10.3 million US dollars) per year.

Milram are now the only professional cycling team in Germany after mineral-water distributor Gerolsteiner refused to renew their contract.

Cycling here has already been rocked by the news next year’s Tour of Germany has been cancelled after a series of high-profile failed drugs tests.