Rabobank pulls sponsorship

[Strathlubnaig]

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/rabobank-to-end-its-sponsorship-of-professional-cycling-teams

After 17 years of sponsoring the team the bank has pulled out, saying they are not convinced pro cycling will ever be clean. A great shame, and like energy companys putting up their prices, this may now start a stamped for the exits.

 

[musa]

Just read this now

Such a shame

 

[black'n'yellow]

Given the bank's financial results this year, I suspect the doping scandal was just a convenient excuse for them to pull the plug and save some money...

http://www.rabobank.com/content/investor_relations/reports/

 

[thom]

Wow, that's a hard blow to Men's and Women's cycling - let's hope the team finds a way to continue. A vote of no confidence in the UCI too:
We are no longer convinced that the international professional world of cycling can make this a clean and fair sport.

 

[Dayvo]

Could be the 'right' time for drugs companies to come along and sponsor the teams!

 

[jifdave]

Rabobank’s earnings were down in this harsh economic climate: net profit stood at EUR 1,314 million, a 29% drop on the first half of 2011.

says it all i think.

sanchez and gessink are the hottest free agents i guess

 

[thom]

Seems like Rabo will honour the 28 existing contracts through 2013 at least. The team is to continue in white jerseys.

 

[Red Light]

Given the bank's financial results this year, I suspect the doping scandal was just a convenient excuse for them to pull the plug and save some money...

http://www.rabobank.com/content/investor_relations/reports/

Yep, only €1.3Bn profits. No spare money there in the marketing budget for a cycling team. I suspect that Rabobank will be the first of many and that what is happening at Sky is an attempt to try to convince the sponsors not to jump ship.

 

[User169]

Could be the 'right' time for drugs companies to come along and sponsor the teams!

Amgen?

 

[Andy84]

David Miller on Twitter

David Millar (@millarmind) tweeted at 9:01 AM on Fri, Oct 19, 2012:
Dear Rabobank, you were part of the problem. How dare you walk away from your young clean guys who are part of the solution. Sickening.
(https://twitter.com/millarmind/status/259202667941875713

 

[User169]

says it all i think.

sanchez and gessink are the hottest free agents i guess

I reckon Vos should be added to that list!

Agree with Red Light on this one; not convinced it's a finance decision. I think Rabo have been unhappy with a perceived lack of success of the team given that it's one of the wealthier teams. They did though have a major restructure of the team organisation only recently, so I'm a bit surprised at the timing.

 

[400bhp]

As I said on t'other thread, for me (reading between the lines of their statement) it's about them wanting rid of the UCI in it's current form.

Bubble's bursting....

 

[philipbh]

Could be the 'right' time for drugs companies to come along and sponsor the teams!

Why not more detergent companies like Acqua & Saponi - the ultimate in clean sponsorship

(IGMC)

 

[thom]

The Rabo-revoloution.
Just to reiterate, the riders with contracts for 2013 will race with the team but I think not emblazoned with Rabobank's name and not in Orange I think. Vos has a contract for next year too.

 

[400bhp]

Why not more detergent companies like Acqua & Saponi - the ultimate in clean sponsorship

(IGMC)

Or the European Patent Office