Rabobank stops sponsoring cycling teams after doping scandal

Rabobank is to stop sponsoring professional cycling teams from the end of this year following the latest doping scandal, the cooperative bank said in a statement on Friday.


Rabobank will continue its ties with amateur cycling as a sponsor, including the youth training and the cyclocross team, the bank said.
The decision follows publication of the report from the American doping authority USADA last week. In the report, one witness claimed he had used banned substances while cycling for the Rabobank team.
‘It is with pain in our heart, but for the bank this is an inevitable decision,’ management board member Bert Bruggink said. ‘We are no longer convinced the international professional world of cycling can make this a clean and fair sport. We are not confident this will change for the better in the foreseeable future.’
Rabobank started its involvement in cycling 17 years ago.
According to the Telegraaf, another ‘multinational’ is considering setting up a new Dutch-based cycling team, while other reports suggest bike maker Giant may take over the sponsorship deal.

Cycling doping scandal involved Rabobank, says witness


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