Proud Plugge: "Visma | Lease a Bike and Rabobank continue to build the future of cycling together"

Rabobank is returning to cycling after thirteen years. The news was already leaked on Wednesday evening and officially confirmed by both parties on Thursday morning. The bank will become a jersey sponsor—clarifying that it is not a title sponsor—at Visma | Lease a Bike and will also support TeamNL. "This is the best signal we could receive as a sport," says Visma | Lease a Bike CEO Richard Plugge.

"Rabobank has been supporting Dutch sports for years—from enthusiastic amateur basketball players to ambitious hockey talents, and from young athletes with Olympic and Paralympic dreams to now once again professional cyclists. With the addition of Team Visma | Lease a Bike to our sports partnerships, we are returning to our old love: cycling. As a jersey sponsor for both the men's and women's teams, as well as the Development Team, we look forward to supporting the new generation of cycling talent together," said Stefaan Decraene, Chairman of Rabobank's Executive Board.

"This is the best signal we could receive as a sport—that a company with such a deep history in cycling and strong social involvement says: 'We want to be part of this,'" Plugge stated. "This is a special moment. Rabobank has a rich cycling history and a deep-rooted passion for the sport. In 2012, they gave us the opportunity with Blanco to rebuild cycling and give it back to the fans."

"That they are now stepping back in as a partner of our team is a wonderful compliment. It shows how much cycling has developed in recent years and how our team has become synonymous with professionalism, integrity, and success. With this partnership, we continue to build the future of the sport together and inspire the next generation of cycling talent. We are proud of this collaboration and look forward to what we can achieve together," says Plugge.

Read more below the photo!

What exactly will Rabobank do in cycling?

Rabobank and Visma | Lease a Bike aim to "take the next step together," they announced. "Rabobank is a Dutch bank with a strong social commitment and a great passion for sports. For years, the bank has been dedicated to Dutch elite sports and talent development. This partnership aligns perfectly with our shared ambition to make sports accessible and help talent grow," stated the cycling team.

"An important part of this partnership is our joint effort to nurture new Dutch cycling talent. Rabobank will become a strategic partner of our Ready2Race program, which introduces young children to cycling in an accessible way. In addition to the partnership with Team Visma | Lease a Bike, Rabobank will also become a partner of TeamNL," the announcement states.

"Our partnership with TeamNL aligns seamlessly with our commitment to fostering the talent pool of Dutch sports: the unique club and association culture. Through programs like Rabo ClubSupport, the bank has been supporting clubs for years—often in collaboration with NOC*NSF—by providing networks, knowledge, and financial assistance. It is an honor to partner with TeamNL to help the talents nurtured in these clubs pursue their international, Olympic, or Paralympic ambitions," says Decraene.

The collaboration with Visma | Lease a Bike will officially begin at the Tour de France and will run for at least 3.5 years. More details will be shared during a press event in Utrecht on Thursday morning.

Read also

Revolutionary saddle, new cockpit and shorter cranks: Vingegaard's time trial equipment did not disappoint in the Algarve

Van Aert loses not only Laporte but also Classics talent, Visma | Lease a Bike wraps up UAE Tour in style

Pogacar is unfazed by UAE Teammates’ attack on Vingegaard: "I get the questions"

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Get every week the latest news about CYCLING in your inbox!

Subscribe