Tom the Butcher

Rabobank withdrew their public sponsorship of the Dutch team in the wake of USADA's reasoned decision which led to allegations, of which many have since been proven to be true, that the outfit had a chequered past of utilising drugs administrated by doctors to ensure top results by its riders. The team continues with the financial support of Rabobank but as the new team name Blanco suggests, this is a blank team with more or less a blank image. Many of the riders on the team will be riding for contracts this season not only for personal gain but to find a willing sponsor who is keen to back and support the team under a new name. To attract a sponsor before the Tour de France is a team goal and the only way that Blanco can absolutely ensure this is so is by winning and winning as often as possible.