"Sometimes you have to disappoint people. Some deal with that better than others" - Picnic PostNL boss reacts to 'culture of fear' accusations
Cycling
The investigation on Team Picnic PostNL's alleged culture of fear has sparked a massive debate around the team. Over 70 individuals spoke out in the investigation, with multiple negative claims. Team boss Iwan Spekenbrink has finally adressed the topic.
Spekenbrink, speaking to De Telegraaf, was specially upset due to the close connection between those who intervened in the investigation. Thijs Zonneveld is the owner of BEAT Cycling, the team which Picnic signed its sprinter Frits Biesterbos - its only World Tour winner in 2026 - this past winter.
One of the riders that spoke out in the investigation, Martijn Tusveld, is also a former rider in both teams and currently also part of the management in the Dutch continental team.
"When you carry out an investigation like this, it is essential to clearly state that you are part of a competing cycling team—especially when it comes to the recruitment of young Dutch riders".
"Let me be clear: I am not trying to dismiss anyone’s personal views. But in Thijs’s case, there is a clear conflict of interest."
Team Picnic PostNL boss has accused BEAT Cycling owner Thijs Zonneveld of conflict of interests
Spekenbrink was also surprised with the fact that NOS journalist Nando Boers was involved in the investigation, as he had previously been given full access to the team's facilities due to separate projects in the making.
Spekenbrink speaks on 'culture of fear'
"The 'culture of fear' around which the story has been built is misleading in my view," Spekenbrink told De Telegraaf. "Yes, a number of sources have said that, and I regret it, because you always want a safe working environment for everyone."
The Dutch team has seen several dozen former riders and employees speak about a culture with extensive pressure, toxic culture and lack of flexibility for team members on key aspects of their professional and personal life.
"We still believe in our way of working. Teamwork is our foundation, with respect for one another". After such a major incident, he admits that there is the need to access the team's situation from the inside. "At a moment like this, you have to reassess where you stand as an organization."
"We don't shy away from mistakes, because everyone makes them, everywhere. Things can go well within an organisation, but individual experiences may be less positive".
Difficult to balance a professional cycling team
Managing a World Tour team is a monumental task, specially one such as Picnic which has also involved female and developmental programs throughout its history in the peloton. Hundreds of riders and staff in total have been involved with the project.
In Picnic PostNL's case, many times it is not a fit. The team is known for losing many of its leaders mid-contract in the past, such as Marc Hirschi, Ilan van Wilder and more recently Fabio Jakobsen who left during the season - whilst others such as Tom Dumoulin, Michael Matthews and Warren Barguil are amongst those who had asked for early releases from their contracts.
"We will have to explain better how we view collaboration and sometimes say earlier that it isn't a match. In our eyes, the difference is made by genuine teamwork." The team has simultaneously had several of its current riders defend the team's work and culture; however simultaneously, the team is undergoing a massive crisis as a relegation from the World Tour over the coming years appears inevitable.
"I have had many employees on the phone in recent weeks who are worried about their jobs. Working in an elite sports organization is not always enjoyable, because sometimes you have to disappoint people. Some deal with that better than others," he added.
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But the team is doing what is necessary to stay afloat and not dissolve. This past winter, the team was reportedly provided a sum of several million euros for the buyout of Oscar Onley's contract, who joined Netcompany INEOS.
"I assume we will have a WorldTour licence next year. That process is ongoing. Since Covid-19, we've been operating in survival mode," he admitted. "We will have to grow financially so that we don't immediately see our talents leave when they perform well. It is a difficult time now, but we will come out of this stronger."
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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