Picnic PostNL boss Spekenbrink accuses journalists of bias over 'culture of fear' allegations
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GooglePicnic PostNL team boss Iwan Spekenbrink has spoken publicly for the first time since the reports of an alleged culture of fear at his team surfaced. In an interview with De Telegraaf, he accepted that some former staff had bad experiences. He also pointed to Marcel Kittel and two other former riders, and questioned whether the bias of some of the journalists involved.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The 'culture of fear' on which the story is based is misleading in my view," Spekenbrink said. He summed up the reporting as "a one-sided story has been told."
Read more below the photo.
Former Picnic PostNL riders have reported mistreatment during their time with the Dutch team.
Spekenbrink on Kittel, Veelers and Wild: 'None of the three confirms the picture'
The investigation was published in mid-October. It was based on confidential conversations with 71 people who work or had worked at the team, and its sources described an unsafe working environment. Spekenbrink did not comment at the time.
Now he references an article in which Marcel Kittel, Tom Veelers and Kirsten Wild share their experiences. In that NOS piece from October, all three former riders, who left in 2014 (Wild), 2015 (Kittel) and 2018 (Veelers), said they did not find the stories completely unexpected.
Read also
Kittel did not endorse the culture-of-fear label, but he said people needed to be listened to and the team should be looked at critically.
"They are critical, and that is their right, but none of the three confirms the picture being painted," Spekenbrink said. "Yes, a number of sources have expressed that, and I regret that, because you always want a safe working environment for everyone."
He stressed that around 160 people work at Picnic PostNL, 60 of them riders, and said individuals can experience the same environment differently.
Journalist Thijs Zonneveld broke the story. He also manages the BEAT cycling team.
Conflict of interest claim against Zonneveld
Spekenbrink's harshest words were for journalist Thijs Zonneveld. As well as working for In De Waaier, Zonneveld is the sporting director of continental team BEAT CC powered by Saxo.
Picnic signed sprinter Frits Biesterbos from BEAT this past winter, and he was the team's only WorldTour winner in 2026.
This is like having Grolsch conduct an investigation into Heineken.- Iwan Spekenbrink to De Telegraaf (translated from Dutch)
Spekenbrink: 'Zonneveld is employed by a competing team'
"Thijs Zonneveld is employed by a competing team, particularly when it comes to recruiting young Dutch riders," he added.
He also questioned the role of NOS journalist Nando Boers, who had previously been given full access to the team for a book and a documentary. "Nothing of the sort came to light in those."
Spekenbrink said the team did not respond before publication because of how it was approached. "They only sent us eight questions, which we were allowed to answer within two days."
That account differs from Zonneveld's: he said in October that the journalists had emailed 23 questions before visiting the team's Deventer service course.
Read also
Licence, investigation and Zonneveld's reply
The team has since commissioned an independent investigation into its culture. According to WielerFlits, Spekenbrink expects Picnic PostNL to keep its WorldTour licence next year. He admitted the reports had hit hard, including among employees worried about their jobs.
Zonneveld replied the same afternoon with a single line: 'Shoot the messenger, part 82382934'.
In a later Substack post, he wrote: "I don't know a single rider who would choose, or has chosen, BEAT over Picnic PostNL." He also said nearly 100 people have now shared their experiences, and that Spekenbrink has still not answered the questions put to him directly.
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Cyclocross legend Lars van der Haar had a tough time after retiring from cyclocross: 'It was over pretty quickly'
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Latest Cycling News
Extensive evidence of use of N-word, homophobia, and Asian-hate by track cyclist Matthew Richardson revealed
Thibau Nys and Lucinda Brand's team lose title sponsor in the middle of the cyclocross season
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Jayco AlUla bids farewell to Koen Bouwman and two others, who make way for Wiggins & the next generation
Hilarious photo emerges of Quinn Simmons and Brandon McNulty enjoying the off-season at teammates wedding
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Latest Comments
- The independent investigation is the important bit now. It needs to give current staff a safe way to speak honestly, not just become another round of public statements.michael5413-11-2026
- One Lombardia doesn’t tell us how Seixas will handle a full Grand Tour. I’d rather see him develop steadily than have every result turned into a Pogačar comparison.samanthak12-11-2026
- Pogacar is 30 already? I thought he was younger. If he keeps winning like this, how long can he realistically ride at the top?jeremya12-11-2026
- Interesting that Thomas made the comparison while speaking to Rowe, given Decathlon’s hopes of keeping Seixas and the reports linking INEOS with him. Praise, or a subtle message to a potential signing?gearguru3312-11-2026
- Seixas winning Il Lombardia at this age is a huge statement. The Pogačar comparisons are inevitable, but Thomas is right to leave room for both of them to keep improving—Pog is still setting the bar.robert6512-11-2026
- A fascinating career, but the article leans heavily on his side of the story. Were the three disqualifications all for the same equipment rule, or were there different issues each time?michael5412-11-2026
- I’m still not sure how the handlebar rules work. If another rider can rest their wrists on the bars, why was Van Schip disqualified for his position?jennifer1912-11-2026
- The UCI really needs clearer, consistently enforced rules on bike setups and riding positions. If Van Schip was being told different things from race to race, no wonder he got fed up.patriciaw12-11-2026
- Two world track titles and three pro wins is a serious career, whatever the controversies. Shame he felt the sport stopped listening to him. Hope Rotterdam gives him the send-off he deserves.tourdeforce912-11-2026
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026