No Picnic: inquiry reveals Dutch cycling team’s toxic culture

An investigation by Dutch broadcaster NOS and cycling platform In De Waaier reveals that the Dutch cycling team Picnic-PostNL has been plagued by a toxic culture of intimidation and fear. The World Tour team, currently employing around 120 people, was once successful in the Tour de France in 2013 and 2014, with rider Marcel Kittel winning stages. However, after their success, managers became increasingly paranoid about losing control, establishing more rules and telling employees, "everyone is replaceable."

Former team members described a "culture of fear" and "unsafe working conditions," with management punishing criticism and ignoring mental health concerns. One interviewee referred to the management structure as a "dictatorship," while another called team members "puppets." The atmosphere became even more radicalized after Dutch racer Tom Dumoulin won the 2017 Giro d'Italia, the third Grand Tour of cycling.

Rider Martijn Tusveld was dropped from major races for questioning the team's tactics and became so anxious that he considered harming himself, leaving the team and still struggling with his mental health. Another team member, who was suffering mentally, was told by sports director Rudi Kemna, "I don't believe in psychologists" after asking for help.

The Dutch professional cyclists' association VVBW has heard similar accounts over the past 18 months, with some riders calling in tears. NOS has reached out to team owner Iwan Spekenbrink for a comment, but he has yet to respond to the allegations.