The executive board of the Rabobank group today approved the proposed revised structure for the Rabobank cycling team. The primary changes are a revised composition of management, the appointment of one rather than three statutory directors and the merger of the cycling team's advisory board and supervisory board.
The changes to the structure of are a direct result of the Vogelzang Committee's report of the Rasmussen affair.
'These far-reaching changes to the structure of Rabo wielerploegen BV are in line with the recommendations of the Vogelzang committee and we hope that through these measures we will be able to once again raise the sport of cycling to a higher plane," said member of the executive board of the Rabobank group responsible for the cycling portfolio, Piet van Schijndel.
"Through the appointment of Harold Knebel, who is currently director of private banking at Rabobank Nederland, we are gaining a general managing director who is removed somewhat from the world of cycling, but who also has tremendous affinity with the sport. The fact that he is an experienced manager is also extremely important. This appointment means the management will be placed in the hands of a single member statutory board with overall responsibility. All sport-specific, medical and operational tasks will be overseen by a management team. A medical manager will also be appointed to this team in accordance with the Vogelzang committee's recommendation," Van Schijndel said.
As part of the recommendations, Eric Breukink has been relieved of his responsibilities as member of the board of directors, but will remain as the number one sports director for the ProTour squad.
"I respect the executive board's decision and am pleased that I will now be able to once again focus fully on the team management. The team management has learned from what has happened. For me personally, I know now that I should have been more alert. I unconditionally endorse the more stringent policy regarding whereabouts and the new approach based on providing the riders with more intensive coaching and management," Breukink said.
