Rabobank withdraws all cycling sponsorship

[JA-Q001]

Havent seen anything here yet, so here goes.

 

Seems that one of the biggest supporters of cycling is withdrawing, following the lance debacle.

 

Check here:

 

http://www.rabosport.nl/wielrennen/nieuws/4759/Rabobank_stopt_met_sponsoring_professionele_wielerploegen

 

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

 

Sad Sad Day

['Dale]

That's

[Bianchi]

Sad times.

[sluiper]

Hope Carlos Barredo thinks it was worth it...

[Cippo]

Heavy days ahead for alot of teams. This is not going to be the last sponsor to pull out. I see only the manufacturers of bikes and components ending up funding the teams as no new sponsors want to be associated with the sport.

[Tubehunter]

Met eishhhh! Didn't for one second think pro cycling would come through the USADA process unscathed. Just wonder how many others will be doing the same....

[Bianchi]

Met eishhhh! Didn't for one second think pro cycling would come through the USADA process unscathed. Just wonder how many others will be doing the same....

 

Everyone knew it was going to hurt.... but it doesn't make the pain or the shock any less.

Five years ago sponsors were pulling out because of financial troubles, now they are pulling out because they don't want to smear their names with doping scandals [or allegations or controversies].

[LeTurbo]

Heavy days ahead for alot of teams. This is not going to be the last sponsor to pull out. I see only the manufacturers of bikes and components ending up funding the teams as no new sponsors want to be associated with the sport.

 

I think you're right. Question is whether the TdF and Giro and others are going to be able to carry on. I have my doubts. We might only be watching re-runs in future.

[splat]

So these will be getting a heavy discount at the LBS then?

[eddy]

Met eishhhh! Didn't for one second think pro cycling would come through the USADA process unscathed. Just wonder how many others will be doing the same....

 

Yes, this is so sad.

 

If only the USADA had stopped its unconstitutional witch hunt of the greatest cyclist of all time who was also the most tested athlete ever and above all brave Cancer survivor who has raised so much money for cancer research, none of this would have happened.

 

Shame on the haters !!!

[awesme]

Sad thing, everyone knew about the doping,

 

There was lots of other way to clean house,

 

USADA had a job to do (or maybe wanted to make an statement), but think their method of doing their Job is going to cost the sport more than it needed to.

 

G

[jugheaddave]

Pro road cycling is a filthy sport! I sincerly hope pro mtb never gets to this!!!!

[pauloc]

Yip - this is going to ruin the sport much like the Hansie match-fixing saga ruined cricket for most folks.

 

Oh well, less sponsors = less money in the sport = less incentive to cheat so maybe this will result in a cleaner sport in any case. Of course, the flip side is that less money = less riders and teams.

[eddy]

 

 

Oh well, less sponsors = less money in the sport = less incentive to cheat so maybe this will result in a cleaner sport in any case. Of course, the flip side is that less money = less riders and teams.

 

Let us all again remind ourselves of how much LA has done for cycling....

[awesme]

less money = less development.

 

G

 

Yip - this is going to ruin the sport much like the Hansie match-fixing saga ruined cricket for most folks.

 

Oh well, less sponsors = less money in the sport = less incentive to cheat so maybe this will result in a cleaner sport in any case. Of course, the flip side is that less money = less riders and teams.

[rouxtjie]

demmit the chips are down now.....operation cleanup, fanks lance