"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."
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- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
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