Rabobank will change the accent of its sports sponsorship with effect from 2017 to a more local focus. 'We want to get nearby our customers, in a literal sense,' says Heleen Crielaard, who has responsibility for sponsoring at Rabobank. The change in focus means that expiring agreements with the Dutch Federation KNWU, the Rabo Development Team and the RaboLiv women's team will not be extended. Both the unions and the cycling teams can continue to count on Rabobank's committed support until the end of 2016.

This timely announcement by Rabobank gives the unions and the teams the opportunity to look for new partners. The bank is consulting with the KNHB and NOC*NSF regarding future sports sponsorship.

Rabobank has been an active sponsor of cycling since 1996, supporting both the top of the sport and its grass roots. This has contributed to the current solid position of cycling, with a strong potential for medals in 2016. In terms of visibility, Rabobank already took a step back in its support of the national teams on the road in 2012 when they stopped the sponsorship of the pro team due to its involvement in doping. The cooperation between the KNWU and Rabobank will come to an end at the end of 2016.

Huib Kloosterhuis, director at KNWU, said: "Rabobank has been a steadfast partner of cycling for 20 years. The current strong position of the sport of cycling is partly due to Rabobank's long-term support. Nonetheless, we regret that this partnership is coming to an end."

Rabobank has been supporting the RaboLiv women's cycling team for the past 4 years. The team is professional and successful, and features a large number of talented young riders. Rabobank has every confidence that the team will once again deliver good results in 2016. This will provide a good basis for finding new partners. Rabobank is working in consultation with the women's team on continuity after 2016.

'We have made every effort in recent years to make our team successful and put women's cycling on the map," Marianne Vos said

 We will continue to try 100% in 2016, in which the sporting highlight will be the Olympic Games in Rio. I want to thank Rabobank for all the opportunities it has given the team, our young riders and to me personally."

The bank will also stop its sponsorship of equitation. Heleen Crielaard, Manager of Sponsoring at Rabobank, said: "Cycling and equitation have always been close to Rabobank's heart, and they will continue to be in future. We will continue to support them on their way to the Olympic Games in Rio. Hopefully, a sporting high point at the Games in 2016 will mark the end of a period in which Rabobank has enthusiastically associated its name with cycling and equitation."