Two stories with very similar headlines were near the top of Cycling Weeklys site last week. British Cycling implements action plan after survey reveals 'toxic' culture was one, and Picnic PostNL launch independent investigation after 'toxic culture' reports was the other. Two different stories, but very similar themes elite sports teams having their atmospheres criticised. Both have come under similar fire before over their management style, but both have pledged to investigate and change.Interestingly, both Picnic and the Great Britain Cycling Team were in winning form last week. The former won their first WorldTour race of the year with their mens team, at the Tour of Guangxi, while the latter was tremendous at the Track World Championships in Shanghai, winning six golds and topping the medal table. Its proof that both things can be true at the same time, that teams can be successful, while also not having the most harmonious culture; elite sport is ruthless. Picnic PostNL have had a bleak year across their mens and womens teams, with the former winning thrice, and the latter not winning at all. Its not a surprise, then, that stories criticising their management structure have emerged. If they were winning, as they have so often in the past, then concerns over management style or team atmosphere could be explained away or simply don't make the headlines. Its when youre not as successful that the vultures start circling. Clearly, as the investigations in Dutch media showed, there are questions to be answered over a seemingly tough environment. Different riders might respond to coaching styles in different ways, but when people say that they thought of self-harming, a line has been crossed, and something needs to change. British Cycling, meanwhile, is a juggernaut, and a reliable source of world and Olympic medals, especially on the track, but it is not the first time that teams culture has been criticised. Different circumstances to Picnic, but a similarly poor climate. The report referenced above was not even the only negative story about the GBCT last week, with Matthew Richardson sent home from the Worlds, reportedly under investigation for inappropriate behaviour. It requires some cognitive dissonance here, but BC had both a great week, and a poor week. That there is a toxic culture alleged at both teams does not astonish me, but that does not mean it should be treated as normal. As much as elite sport is a brutal environment, with world-class performances a harsh but tangible yardstick, no rider or staff member should have to suffer through something beyond the pale. It is clearly something that is normalised, sadly, even in this era of mental health awareness and care. It shouldnt take underperformance or a whistleblower to cause reflection, and bring about change BC and Picnic should take this opportunity to make sure this kind of report doesnt emerge again. The best teams arent necessarily the happiest, most lovely places to be, however, and many riders only respond when being pushed to a level which might be construed as negative in the normal world. Simply put, as ever, I am just delighted that Im not a professional cyclist; the pressure to perform and succeed is simply too great. What we cannot forget, however, is that the athletes we watch perform at the very top level are human beings, too. Somehow, those in charge of getting the best from them need to balance their approach, because theres no space for toxicity in the cycling I want to be part of. This piece is part of The Leadout, the offering of newsletters from Cycling Weekly and Cyclingnews. To get this in your inbox, subscribe here.If you want to get in touch with Adam, email adam.becket@futurenet.com.