Rabobank Confirms New Women's Team with Marianne Vos
by Jen See on Sep 26, 2011 11:37 AM EDT
in Women's Cycling
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Rabobank announced today on their sports site that they will sponsor a women's team beginning in 2012. Former world champion and five-time silver medalist Marianne Vos will lead the new Dutch team. Vos said she has been working to find a new team sponsor for the past year, and is looking forward to racing within the Rabobank family next season. The existing Nederland Bloeit management will remain in place.
Interpolis and Giant will also join as sponsors for the Rabobank women's team. The Rabobank commitment runs for two years. The team expects to name more riders to the roster in the coming weeks.
Rabobank has a long history in cycling and already sponsors a men's ProTour team, a men's development team, and an off-road racing team. The bank also serves as a sponsor for the Dutch national teams.
Harold Knebel the manager of the Rabobank cycling teams said they had long discussed the possibility of a women's team, and now with Marianne, the right moment had come. Knebel said he hopes to put the Rabobank team's "expertise" to work for women's cycling. "Now was the time to jump in while the team's future was uncertain. […] Current team structure remains in place," he said.
Here is the announcement in Dutch from the Rabobank site.
Thanks to Ted for some translating assist.
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Wow.
That is going to be one hell of a team!
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 26, 2011 11:39 AM EDT reply actions
Hope Marianne’s happy with the decision though – she’s so incredibly nice that deciding whether to remain faithful to Nederland Bloeit or deserting them for a team that are going to be exactly what she needs to propel her through the next steps in becoming The Greatest Professional Cyclist Ever and becoming World Champ in 2012 must have been a very hard one for her to make. I think she’d made the right choice, though: she works damn hard and Rabobank can provide the support she needs.
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 26, 2011 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Re-read it :)
The Nederland Bloeit team structure remains in place. Rabobank comes in as sponsor and puts some of their management power behind it. So, she’s leaving NB as a sponsor, but the team management Jeroen Blijlevens remains in place.
~ Gavia ~
A damnsight better coordinated than that was
I hope!
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
I think maybe yes.
But we’ll know for sure when the roster information starts appearing. :)
~ Gavia ~
I read an article in one of the bike magazines earlier saying that Rabobank were trying to tempt her away from NB, hence confusion. However, you’ve obviously been investigating so your word is good enough for me. :-)
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 26, 2011 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Not really investigating
I knew she had something in the works, though I couldn’t pry the details out of anyone ;)
I just read the presser today, and it confirms that the existing team structure continues. I guess that doesn’t rule out NB setting up some kind of rival team or something, but that would surprise me.
I’m also not sure who’s contracts were at what stage, so I can’t really (at least, not at 9am on Monday morning) sort who is defo on the team and who is looking for a contract.
~ Gavia ~
Blimey – is it Monday again…? I checked out a few more articles, it was definitely the article I read earlier that was incorrect (can’t remember where it was now) as everyone else says Rabobank are replacing NB rather than just poaching Vos for a new team.
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 26, 2011 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I always found it slightly incomprehensible that they didn't sponsor a women's team
given that they sponsored pretty much everything else in Dutch cycling. Good news, I think.
Given the debates around a minimum wage for women pro-cyclists at the minute I hope they’ll be paying a decent rate. ;-)
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
Definitely
I always thought so too. They’ve always seemed a very clued-up team, so it’s odd they’d have gone so long without taking the opportunity to win more stuff. Great to see another high-profile sponsor getting involved!
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 26, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Are you listening, Team Sky...?
Come on – it’s about time and it’s not like you don’t have the funds?
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 26, 2011 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 3 recs
You're knocking at an open door with me on that one
but rec’d!
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
I heard that RB have been trying to do this for a while
but while the team was sponsored by DSB, it was hard, because they are rivals – we’ve long discussed that Rabo are probably the biggest sponsor of women’s cycling, even before the team, what with their sponsorship of everything national (inc the road team Vos rides a couple of World Cup races with, & Bras rides the Giro with etc) AND a club-level team or two…
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Sure, I'm not doubting the money they've put in
more the fact that it seemed a shame a pro women’s team wasn’t benefitting from a shared set-up in the way that, say, the HTC women’s team clearly did.
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
Yep, really hope they do a lot of that too!
Mind you, I wouldn’t be surprised if it works the other way round too, and Vos & the NB team add glory to the men’s RB team!
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Strange, they fail to mention the best Nederland Bloeit rider
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
Yeah
While I think she did get more than enough opportunities to go her own chance this year, perhaps Van Vleuten wants to be sole team leader, or at least away from Vos.
"Beer helps." -- Ant1.
I wouldn't be at all surprised if
they were on separate teams next year. In fact, I hope they are, because it would be great to watch them go head-to-head in the one-day races.
I’m trying to get a bit more info about this thing, I’ll see what I can do.
~ Gavia ~
Riding with Marianne hasn't exactly hurt Annemiek's chances.
I think cannibal Vos might have snatched that World Cup jersey from her if they were on different teams.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Pigeons asked her about that in the interview
I think that was the… uh… other question I came up with, and I guess Annemiek opened up for the possibilty but was happy with the way things are now.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Sep 26, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, she answers that in the inty FH links
Said last year she felt she wanted more experience before she lead a team, but above all, wants a team she’ll have fun & be happy in
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yay, fanTAStic news!
Anyone know what this means for the CX season? Rabo sponsor Katie Compton via their off-road (CX & MTB) – but I can’t see Compton & Vos as CX team-mates at all!
He was (and is again) the Dutch champion.
So he was wearing the driekleur.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, you mean Compton - Rabo off-raod, & Vos = Rabo?
That’s pretty awesome! Unless Vos will give up cx this year? She implies it, every now & again, but seems to absolutely love the mud, & can’t help herself!
(I love seeing her ride CX, but I also hope she has a lovely long break after this very hectic year)
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Four Rabobank teams now:
1. Pro Team
2. Continental Team
3. Off Road Team (men+women, well, only Compton I think)
4. new addition: Women’s Team
"Beer helps." -- Ant1.
There's another woman on the offroad team, from New Zealand I think.
Can’t remember her name.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, she has a Spanish-ish name, IIRC
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Rosara Joseph
http://rabosport.nl/wielrennen/offroadteam/renners
Unfortunately, they deleted the rider profile pages, now just link to their twitter update stream via mobypicture.
"Beer helps." -- Ant1.
Heel goed
Not much to add except the hope that Annemiek ends up on a rival team, a nice stable one, so that she and Vos will be a fair fight next year. Competition… yay! Stability… YAY!
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 26, 2011 1:52 PM EDT reply actions
Some more translation help
Twee = two, drie = three. So the sponsorship deal is for two years. The name of the bald guy in charge is Knebel, not Knabel.
I think this is great news. Rabobank is sponsoring the WC in Valkenberg next year for almost a million euro. Now they have a very good chance to place at least one rider in the rainbow jersey!
I think Marianne is a very worthy addition to the back site of sponsoring. Very approachable, diplomatic and smart. Nice for meet and greets with the big clients.
Me like bike, no?
She's super-friendly as well
If you’re eg a crazy fangirl shouting “Succes Marianne!” at her, she’ll always grin & wave & say thanks!
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Valkenberg = Valkenburg ;)
But you’re right, Marianne Vos is a perfect ambassador for the sport.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions
question
Is she generally acknowledged in Ned as a household sporting name, in the way practically everyone in the UK would know Paula Radcliffe runs marathons
Yes, I think by now most people would know who Marianne Vos is.
In fact, tonight she’s a guest on the biggest late night talk show in our country.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Indeed
She’s in the news pretty often all year round winning stuff. Cross WC, Track gold medals, Women Giro d’Italia etc. etc. Always gets some mention in the sports media so everybody with the tiniest bit of interest in sports in general will know her.
Me like bike, no?
But first! Jesse Druyts on De Laatste Show
De Laatste Show, één, 22:05 – 22:50 which means RIGHT NOW except that Flemish TV is always a couple of minutes late.
"Beer helps." -- Ant1.
You're so lucky!
Wish we had that kind of thing over here!
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions
In Belgium it's a bit more usual to see cyclists appearing on talk shows ;)
Although recently Bauke Mollema was a guest on P&W as well.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Imagine a silver medalist in the juniors appearing on any sort of show in Holland.
Those Belgians really love their cycling.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions
But the junior gold medallist won't be on tv in the Uk anywhere, I'm sure
:-(
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Not in Holland either.
Only in Belgium, I guess.
by blackswangreen on Sep 26, 2011 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Might make the SPOTY round up of miscellaneous other stuff
if you can wait that long (or bear to watch it). She had a (brief) mention on radio 5 earlier, in the middle of a hilarious conversation between assorted non-cycling sports hacks trying to get their heads around Cav’s win & how road cycling works.
"I’m hoping for the Mortirolo-Gavia combination, then we can ride down to Bormio for ice cream." Emma Pooley on the Giro Donne
I guess if the road team is up for Sports Personality team award?
(They should be…. gold medals at men’s & junior women’s RR, & medals in men’s, women’s, junior women’s ITT & u23 men’s RR….)
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 26, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Be careful
what you wish for. Ask a decade of French junior sensations how helpful the early attention was.
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 26, 2011 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
BBC did feature a bit of it on their Sunday programme
A clip of Barker in the TT followed by interview, then showing Garner’s victory, aswell as her crash, and interview, followed by a similar small recap of the U23 Mens medal from Fenn.
Only a couple of minutes in total, but for a Juniors competition, what more can you ask for, realistically?
Who...?
I’ve never head of Paula Racliffe.
However, it should be pointed out that I live in a cave in the 14th Century and, other than following cycling, have no contact with the outside world. :-)
by John Cyclopunk on Sep 27, 2011 8:27 AM EDT up reply actions
Haha
You missed a Knabel ;-)
And on rabosport.nl they said it was a least 2 years so you might be right in the end. Although I hope they’ll continue for a long long time!
Me like bike, no?
Ha ha, man
I can’t spell in English, then it’s Monday morning, then it’s a presser in Dutch. So doomy!
LOL, the numbers get me every time, because of the false cognate thing, you know? Twee sounds too much like three! Silly languages :)
~ Gavia ~
Ha ha, right
I meant, internet sounds like? Which is really looks like ;)
Oh man, you don’t want to know what languages I read on the internet sound like in my head. It would make you cry :D
~ Gavia ~
maybe if you're dutch?
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/twee This makes it sound as if Belgians would say it how english speakers would read it as an english word (which it sort of is)
"Twee sounds too much like three!"
If you watch enough Bugs Bunny, then yes.
Any dumb f#*k who looked at Garmin’s roster could figure that out, it wasn’t exactly rocket-science. Hell, it wasn’t even lutefisk-science.
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 26, 2011 4:52 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rabo now coming in is great news, hopefully this means they present the women up there with the men in their marketing the same way as Cervélo and HTC. Could be just the fillip the sport needs at the moment. Vos at Nederland Bloeit was brilliant, but the addition of Rabo’s marketing strength might mean a lot more people know about it.
Ooh! My new sig line.
I’m going to keep this thru the classics.
"Yay Rabo -- Hurrah!" -tgsgirl
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 26, 2011 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions
not the one
with proper attribution.
"Yay Rabo -- Hurrah!" -tgsgirl
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 26, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey
I just assumed you were expanding your horizons. I mean, you already have Tony Martin in your sig line.
"Yay Rabo -- Hurrah!" -tgsgirl
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 26, 2011 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions
I used to like the happiness I felt upon reading it over and over again
but now all I’m left with is darkness and flashes of an orange Dutch hegemony
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
Great
Next Quick Step-Omega will use a Piet Mondrian design for the new kit.
"Yay Rabo -- Hurrah!" -tgsgirl
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 27, 2011 1:12 AM EDT up reply actions
That's until
Euskaltel unleash their plans of domination to create a different orange hegemony.
Except for the only prominent Basque women’s cyclists being ITT and track riders, which is kind of at odds with what you’d expect.
by UrlaubinPolen on Sep 27, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
How is her name properly pronounced?
I was pretty sure the surname was Foss, but it sounded during the RR that there was an extra syllable in her first name that I wouldn’t have thought to say – Mary-Anna as opposed to Mary-Anne. Could have been wrong on the part of Mr. Belarussia, too, certainly.
Vos, with a v rather than an f
And Marianne does indeed have a schwa at the end.
I am ready to hug the world - Tony Martin.
It's a shorter a and i sound than in "Mary" (at least in English-English pronunciation)
You can hear it said by real Dutch people here!
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 27, 2011 4:38 AM EDT up reply actions
What
You mean there are real Dutch people on this earth? I thought they were something like leprechauns and yeti’s…
Me like bike, no?
I thought they were more like unicorns...
(Insert jokes here)
by Sarah Connolly on Sep 27, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
There's plenty
Just go to Ko Pang Ngan at the full moon. You’ll find them.
"Yay Rabo -- Hurrah!" -tgsgirl
by Chris Fontecchio on Sep 27, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions
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