DUPONT ENDS CYCLING RACE SPONSORSHIP

     The DuPont Corp. yesterday said it would no longer sponsor
the cycling race that bears its name after next season, according
to the PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER.  This ends a six-year relationship
between DuPont and the Tour DuPont.  DuPont said it is giving up
sponsorship for budgetary reasons.  Michael Plant, the president
of Richmond, VA-based Medalist Sports, Inc., which organizes and
stages the race, said DuPont was responsible for one-third of the
race's estimated $7.5M annual budget.  Plant said he is
"optimistic" about finding a replacement for DuPont, and has
already had discussions with four global companies and six U.S.
companies.  Two months ago, Motorola ended its sponsorship of the
nation's top cycling team for budgetary reasons (Ron Ried,
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER, 7/12).