Dutch insurance company TVM which sponsored one of the most famous teams in the 1990s, may be planning a return to the professional cycling world. According to a report in De Telegraaf, the company is considering is future sponsor options and will make a decision after the Winter Olympics in Sochi.
After a couple of difficult seasons, Dutch insurance company TVM decided to leave the sport of professional cycling after the 2000 season, having been the name sponsor of a major team from 1986 until that year. After 13-year absence, the company is now considering a return to the sport.
According to a report in De Telegraaf, TVM is currently considering its future options with the assistance of Aegon communications director Jan Driessen. After the Winter Olympics in Sochi which takes place in February, the company will end its association with the Dutch speed skating team and a return to cycling is reportedly not excluded.
Frank van de Wall Bake is currently looking into the opportunities within the sport. However, De Telegraf reports that the plans are currently revolving around the creation of a smaller team.
During its heydays, the TVM team was very successful in the spring classics and won races like the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, Gent-Wevelgem and the Tour of Flanders. Riders like Famous old riders Jeroen Blijlevens, Servais Knaven, Steven Rooks, Gert-Jan Theunissen, Jelle Nijdam, Dave Bruylandts, Peter Van Petegem, Hendrik Redant, Andreas Klier, Sergei Ivanov and Bo Hamburger all wore their famous colours with great success.
However, the team's image was tainted during the 1998 Tour de France when they decided to leave the race in the in the wake of the Festina affair. Team manager Cees Priem even ended up in prison during the race.
If TVM decides to create a new team, it comes at a welcome time. Five professional teams are folding at the end of the season and several riders have been struggling to find new homes for the coming season.
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