Team Rabobank will become Blanco Pro Cycling Team in 2013
Blanco Pro Cycling has confirmed will be the new name for the former Team Rabobank for the season ahead for the 2013 season.
The Dutch team will have one year to find its title sponsor in order to stay in the sport as the new sponsor has decided to back the team for 2013 season only.
Former sponsor backed up from the team’s sponsorship in October but has promised to continue its funding till the end of next year.
USADA’s investigation into Lance Armstrong to prove him guilty of doping was a big blow for the whole sport.
The firm stated it as a most sophisticated doping scandal in the sport ever and published a thousand page report to establish the fact that the American used doping to achieve the desired results previously in his career.
Armstrong was definitely not the only cyclist as he had several team doctors, officials and other cyclists involved in the scam.
As many as 25 cyclists admitted doping previously in his career after USADA’s investigations and 11 out of 25 were Lance’s former teammates.
Team Rabobank, who was with the sport since 17 years, announced its demise after finding Dutch cyclist’s name on the list.
"The Rabobank cycling team regrets Rabobank’s decision to stop its sponsorship of the men’s professional cycling team,” Rabobank announced earlier in a statement.
“The team was informed about the reasons and understands the decision. We’ve been cycling for 17 years now with the name Rabobank proudly on our shirts and it hurts that going forward we’ll have to do without that name".
"The cycling team is very grateful to Rabobank for the 17 years of loyal sponsorship. The sport of cycling should be grateful to Rabobank for all the efforts it has made in the past years to put Dutch cycling on the map successfully”.
Team Director Harold Knebel will step down from his position on December 31st after taking over the responsibilities in 2008 while Richard Plugge, the team’s communication manager will take over Harold’s position as the new Team Director.
It will be interesting to see of the Dutch manages to find a main backer during the 2013 season as it will determine its future for the season ahead.
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