The Rabobank cycling team was founded in 1996, as the successor to Novell, and was founded as part of the so-called "Rabobank Cycling Plan" in which not only the professional team plays a role, but particular attention is also paid to the development of new talents. The team was founded by sporting director Jan Raas. He was looking for a new main sponsor after his team ran into financial difficulties in 1995. The bank and Raas signed an agreement in mid-1995. Team leaders were Theo de Rooij and assistants Joop Zoetemelk and Adri van Houwelingen.

Jan Raas brought along some top players from the Novell cycling team, including Vjatseslav Jekimov and Edwig Van Hooydonck, as well as young talents such as Michael Boogerd, Léon van Bon and Erik Dekker. The bank invested 10 million guilders in the entire cycling plan, of which 7 were earmarked for the professional team. This brought in leaders such as Erik Breukink, Rolf Sörensen and Johan Bruyneel. Koos Moerenhout and Robbie McEwen made their professional debut.