Van Vliet part failed to extend contract with Dutch Cycling Federation
Dutch Cycling Federation has decided to bring an end to the four-year old associations with the National Coach Leo van Vliet by the end of 2012 season.
The 57-year-old took over the responsibilities in 2009 and has done well considering his past performances with the team.
However, the Dutch Cycling Federation is looking for a new approach and would prefer a full-time coach which is the main reason why they have decided to release Vliet from off his services.
The chairman of the Netherlands Cycling Federation, Marcel Wintels explained, “The National Federation looks back with satisfaction on the past 4 years that Leo van Vliet in his own way and very passionate about being the national coach of the pro men”.
The former professional cyclist rode with Team Miko-Mercier (1978), Team TI-Raleigh (1979-1983) and Team Kwantum Hallen-Yoko (1984-86) as a rider.
After retiring in 1986, he worked with Team Raleigh, Team Kwantum Hallen and other teams, but soon lost interest and started organising the races including the Ride of Roses, Amstel Gold Race, the Amstel Curaçao Race and the ride for the roses.
While commenting on his future goals for the season ahead, the Dutch briefed, "I can look back on a beautiful period in which I have given 200% but I didn't always find the setting and motivation for some riders”.
Netherlands secured the sixth overall position after the UCI World Tour Nation rankings with a total number of 733 points to its credit.
Bauke Mollema (194 UCI points), Niki Terpstra (160 UCI points), Lars Boom (148 UCI points), Robert Gesink (134 UCI points) and Lieuwe Westra (97 UCI points) made the major contribution for the Dutch side.
Dutch cycling is going through a sensitive phase after Rabobank decided to end its association with the previously know Team Rabobank in wake of Lance Armstrong’s doping scandal.
“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," it stated.
However, the team has decided to continue at the top level of the sport without its main sponsor and is hopeful to find a backer earlier on the 2013 season.
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