After losing their long time sponsor Rabobank last fall the dutch team has been looking for a new backer to keep the long-standing organization alive. This year they have been racing on money provided by Rabobank under the terms of their original contract but the bank has not wanted their name on the jerseys due to the negative impact of the many doping scandals surrounding the sport. That the team has secured funding is great news for dutch cycling as not only they but also the country's other big squad Vacansoleil risked closing down due to cancelled sponsorships. Vacansoleil and co-sponsor DCM have both announced that they will not be renewing after 2013. That team has yet to announce a replacement sponsor.

It remains to be seen how the focus will look for the new Belkin team as the new sponsor is American. Whether this will change the teams recruiting and racing priorities is a question for the off-season. The Rabo/Blanco team has always had an international mix but with a strong core of Dutch riders making out the majority of the team.

Original newsstory from De Telegraaf