"Isn’t that a conflict of interest?" - Johan Bruyneel isn't convinced about part of Picnic PostNL allegations as team faces uncertainty
Cycling
Johan Bruyneel is skeptical about elements of the investigation into Picnic PostNL's team culture, questioning the motivation of one of the 71 former staff and rider accounts of the team's issues.
The Dutch team was subject of an investigation led by NOS and Thijs Zonneveld's podcast 'In de Waaier' which alleged that a toxic culture of fear was rampant in the struggling WorldTour team, who also recently missed the deadline to register for their 2027 licence.
With the team facing uncertainty about their financial backing for next season, the allegations directed at the management and actions of some sports directors were led by a handful of former riders and staff that came forward with their name rather than anonymously.
One account surrounded Martijn Tusveld's experience with the team as he claimed he was punished for speaking his mind on team tactics and subsequently missed opportunities to race for certain goals. Although he renewed his contract in subsequent years, he claimed that his experience led him to consider self-harm.
Picnic PostNL
Bruyneel questions 'conflict of interest'
Former team manager Bruyneel has pointed out a link between Zonneveld and Tusveld as he questioned both a conflict of interest in the investigation and also scrutinised Tusveld's account in the investigation.
"Zonneveld is the general manager of a Dutch cycling team, BEAT Cycling," Bruyneel said on in his podcast 'THE MOVE'.
"And one of the key witnesses—one of the few who came forward by name—is Martijn Tusveld. I’ve been told that he’s now the sports psychologist at BEAT. Isn’t that a conflict of interest?”
He added: “He’s been there for six or seven years and extended his contract by two years. Is it really that bad? Okay, if you don’t have any other choice, then maybe you have to sign on for another term."
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Picnic face uncertain future
Picnic have endured a difficult season as their UCI rankings have plunged and they lost their bike sponsor. The team may still submit their documents for a WorldTour licence, but acceding to Bruyneel, questions remain around the sustainability of the project.
“Even when Lapierre was still there, they had only received a one-year license, based on their financial situation. I don’t know what Lapierre paid, but we saw that they ran a loss of about twenty million over three years. A bicycle sponsor isn’t going to fill that gap.
“Right now, everything is so uncertain… Which brand would be willing to make that commitment? They first need guarantees that they’ll be allowed to race, and they don’t have those guarantees. Maybe it won’t be in the WorldTour. I’m thinking of a smaller brand. But right now, I don’t see a single brand that can solve their problems.”
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- I'm deeply sick of this guy and his unwillingness to race seriously for more than a month or two. I'll never respect riders who do that. Seixas will be stronger than him next season, and maybe Del Toro as well. I don't even think he'll finish on the podium at any GT where Pogi, Seixas, and Del Toro are racing.megasmacky15-11-2026
- Not a chance in hell.megasmacky15-11-2026
- If you go watch some races from last season other riders that have never caught Jonas...are now catching him. Some are just riding away from him and he can't hold the wheelmd197514-11-2026
- He just doesn't have the desire anymore. I read an article earlier today that said he almost retired last year. His reasoning was he is away from home to much. Visma was able to keep him riding by allowing him to skip certain camps. So, while currently Visma is doing altitude work...Jonas is at home. Which means 2 things. 1- He maybe fresher than other riders. But, not the condition. 2-Is a somewhat slap in the face to others on the team that are supposed to help him win. Yet feel like he hasn't done what they have so perhaps they don't provide as good of protection or they ride more for theme (which the team may not notice).md197514-11-2026
- Roglic could not have won anyway, after Jonas followed him when Roglic decided it was his turn for a stage win. Jonas had already attacked Kuss twice, so it was Jonas who was within seconds of taking the lead before Kuss was 'gifted' the win. It felt a bit like Roglic was being thrown under the bus when the team made his unhappiness public.Hills3314-11-2026
- POG1, another nice doc about our favourite, I watched most of it with a big smile on my face (except for the bits about his crashes 😢 obvs!).Lozza14-11-2026
- Martinez had a good year! 5th at the Tour was a great result for him, albeit largely through getting in successful breaks, but he held it better than Pidcock who’d done the same.Lozza14-11-2026
- guess what Valgren, you're 34, and no you're not good enough. sorry to say.mij14-11-2026
- I'm a sepp fan and like to think he earned that LOL, indulge me : ) I think Jonas was fine. Roglic did not want to concede to Sepp. and I don't think you ever attack your own teammate in the leaders jersey if he is holding his own, which Sepp just about was.mij14-11-2026
- enough time? he's 24 years old. He's won 10 races over the last 2 years and some are significant. I won't argue about his attitude being good - it needs to improve. But with some coaching and mentorship he has a lot of winning ahead of him and has plenty of time to win a GT. I don't think he will ever beat Tadej, but everyone else is fair game Look at Mas and Valverde - they were 31 and 29, respectively, when they won the Vuelta.mij14-11-2026
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