The NOS media company has hailed an agreement with the Blanco Pro Cycling team as being one which will it says will allow a high level of transparency about the team’s participation in this year’s Tour.
The squad, which continues the structure of the previous Rabobank team, has given a green light for NOS Sport reporter Kees Jongkind to be embedded in the Blanco Pro Cycling Team for three weeks during the Tour de France.
He and a camera crew will have no-holds barred access to the team for a documentary titled Inside Blanco, which will be screened this autumn by NOS.
“This is a unique project – a fantastic opportunity to follow cycling from the inside out,” said Maarten Nooter, the Editor-in-Chief of NOS Sport. “Now, right when so much has gone wrong and the sport is facing a credibility crisis, we’ve been able to strike a deal with Blanco to open all doors.
“This is an extraordinary but also a courageous step by the team, especially when it occurs during the most important cycling race on the calendar.”
The arrangement is of benefit to the team, due both to the revelations about the historic Rabobank squad, and also because it is searching for a new title sponsor. Providing widespread access to the TV crew brings publicity, but also a greater insight into the team.
This is something that Blanco Pro Cycling team general manager Richard Plugge underlines. “Everyone is familiar with the trials and tribulations in the finish of a race from the television coverage, but so much more is happening in a cycling team. Openness and transparency are core values in the Blanco Cycling Team,” he sad.
“We want to provide our fans with an inside look at the daily routine of the team before and during the Tour in France. The NOS is the best candidate to provide an objective picture and Blanco will open the doors to them and provide the camera crew full access so that they can get their story.”
NOS will also film and air an in-depth report on Robert Gesink and Bauke Mollema prior to the race.
Jongkind worked on the recent story about Michael Boogerd’s use of banned substances during his career. “The cooperation is based on mutual trust and this is exceptional in the sports world and especially in cycling,” he said. “At the same time, it’s absolutely essential to make a compelling story. I dare say this will be unique and I am very much looking forward to it.”