Picnic-PostNL cycling team faces allegations of fear culture

The Picnic-PostNL cycling team is facing allegations of a ‘fear culture’ following investigations by NOS Sport and In de Waaier. Reports involving 71 sources suggest a toxic environment within the Dutch team.

Sporting director Rudi Kemna expressed shock at the findings, stating he does not recognize the description of a ‘dictatorship’ but acknowledged that the stories must be taken seriously. He noted that the team was founded to move away from the doping culture of the past and expressed sympathy for those who may have experienced trauma. In response to the allegations, Picnic-PostNL has announced an independent professional investigation into the team's culture.

Cyclist John Degenkolb has strongly contested the reports, claiming he never experienced a fear culture during his sixteen years with the team and questioning why dissenting voices were omitted from the investigation. However, journalist Thijs Zonneveld responded that out of 71 sources interviewed, only two provided positive feedback, while 69 did not, suggesting the vast majority of accounts were critical of the team environment.