Picnic PostNL release statement after explosive investigation - Allegations of fear culture and 'dictatorship' emerge
Cycling
WorldTour team Picnic PostNL have released a statement, responding to allegations of a culture of fear and intimidation within its team after a special investigation reported multiple former riders and staff members reported a toxic-like work environment.
The Dutch team were rocked by a bombshell investigation that has seen former riders and staff open up on an atmosphere of fear, excessive control and distrust at the Dutch team.
NOS and In de Waaier released the findings of an extensive investigation into the team's culture, particularly focusing on team boss Iwan Spekenbrink and sporting director Rudi Kemna. The investigation included dozens of confidential interviews with former riders and staff.
Several sources described the long-term effects of intimidation, fear and mistrust, particularly around the relationships between staff and riders with management over a period of several years.
Among the accounts, former rider Martijn Tusveld claimed voicing his concern over tactics led to his schedule and career being impacted for multiple seasons while coach Adriaan Helmantel described management as a "dictatorship" after they implemented strict rules on rider input and the communication between riders and staff.
Responding to the investigation's allegations, the team claimed that they approached NOS to comment during the investigation but NOS did not take up the offer. Their statement also claimed that the team will launch an independent investigation into the report.
Team Picnic PostNL
Picnic PostNL release statement
"We have taken note of the articles published by NOS Sport and In de Waaier about Team Picnic PostNL. The stories of the [former] riders and [former] staff members quoted in those articles have touched us. At the same time, we do not recognise ourselves in the overall picture painted in the reports,” the team said.
"The fact that experiences vary does not detract from the seriousness of the stories that are now coming to light. That is why we will commission an independent investigation into how the team culture is experienced in practice and to what extent it aligns with the culture we strive to foster."
The statement continued: "According to NOS, it spent months trying to speak with current and former riders and staff members. As soon as we received indications that the investigation was taking place, we offered to meet with NOS to discuss our philosophy and vision, and to give the broadcaster the opportunity to speak with current team members and colleagues. NOS chose not to take up that offer. We regret this.
"Last Monday, we were then given only a few days to respond to a number of questions, either in writing or on camera. In response, we made several further attempts to speak with NOS. These attempts were unsuccessful."
Independent investigation
"If people have felt unsafe within our organisation or have felt they lacked sufficient opportunity to raise concerns, we want to understand how that could have happened," the team's statement read.
"We are proud of what we have built since 2008 together with the many people who are, or have been, part of and associated with this team. Precisely for that reason, we believe it is important to take a critical look at ourselves.
"We will therefore commission an independent, professional investigation into our team culture. We will take its findings seriously and implement any improvements that may be needed, out of respect for everyone who is, or has been, part of Team Picnic PostNL."
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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