thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
They's just thrown in the towel though.Why not more detergent companies like Acqua & Saponi - the ultimate in clean sponsorship
(IGMC)
Rabobank pulls sponsorship
- Thread starter Strathlubnaig
- Start date
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I'm ashamed to say that took me longer to work out than it should have done.........Or the European Patent Office
U
User169
Guest
I'm glad I wasn't the only one, DZ!
oldroadman
Veteran
- Location
- Ubique
Profit drop - 29%. However much they say, the stakeholders will be asking why all the millions of Euro are going into cycling when the bank is in a dip. The cost of running the two teams will be about €18-20 million a year, at today's rates, so worth up to €120-140 million over the 17 years. Compared with this figure, the cost of supporting their underlying support of the Dutch teams will probably be a bit less. I note they are still supporting cyclo-cross - which is a very big sport in the Benelux region - and good for their image. So far this has escaped the scandal, and I hope this continues.
Supporting youth cycling is a no-brainer for a big national enterprise.
What is a worry is that they have quite happily carried on when "omerta" ruled, and when the clean up is going on, want to bail out. So will they take back all the publicity from wins when their head was firmly buried in the sand, and say that some of their wins were with chemically assisted rides? I think not.
Overall, though, for any sponsor to stay so long nowadays is unusual, and maybe the team management saw this coming.
Supporting youth cycling is a no-brainer for a big national enterprise.
What is a worry is that they have quite happily carried on when "omerta" ruled, and when the clean up is going on, want to bail out. So will they take back all the publicity from wins when their head was firmly buried in the sand, and say that some of their wins were with chemically assisted rides? I think not.
Overall, though, for any sponsor to stay so long nowadays is unusual, and maybe the team management saw this coming.
U
User169
Guest
Were Rabo named in the Italian investigation yesterday? Maybe they are worried there's more grief coming their way.
Why not more detergent companies like Acqua & Saponi - the ultimate in clean sponsorship
(IGMC)
But would you believe their "Whiter than white" claims?
thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
I think they nearly left a few years ago. Probably around the time of Rasmussen getting chucked off hte TdF.
thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
Yep they were. Not at team level (Astana and Radioshack) but there may be riders individually involved.
philipbh
Spectral Cyclist
- Location
- Out the back
Subject to a door step challenge? (the equivalent of the Carabinieri battering down your hotel room door)
Nearly there
Veteran
- Location
- Cumbria
I thought Rabobank were very poor this year looks like they're using the doping scandal as an opportunity to cut n run.
If that were the case, why are they paying the riders through next year to ride without the Rabobank name on? Poor performance would pull the plug immediately. Wanting to make financial savings would pull the plug immediately. Wanting to make the savings but being a responsible sponsor might allow them to race next year as the final year in Rabobank colours. But pay them to ride next year but without mentioning the Rabobank name just says "Sorry guys, you were a good team that we feel responsible for but we just can't have our name associated with road cycling any more."
thom
____
- Location
- The Borough
Skoda have pulled their sponsorship of Rabo too - so guys, if you thing this is wrong, don't buy Skoda cars...
U
User169
Guest
Seems harsh for a team that won the worlds in cross and on the road. One of their riders also won the olympic gold medal on the road.
tigger
Über Member
Never thought I'd say this, but I completely agree with you. Its a massive shame for the sport. I'm hoping its also a commendable act that Rabobank have honoured next years contracts, as opposed to just contractual obligations? And as per Thom, this is a HUGE vote of no confidence in the UCI's ability to keep the sport clean. Much sadder than any of the Armstong sh*t itself for me...
