Let's talk about the state of cycling as a sport and the changes it desperately needs to make. From an outdated calendar to a lack of fan engagement and, most importantly, rider safety concerns, there's a lot to unpack here.
The UCI, cycling's governing body, is currently seeking solutions to enhance the sport's appeal and stability. But is it enough to simply refine the race calendar and improve the narrative for new fans? I think not.
The Calendar Conundrum
The current UCI WorldTour calendar is a jumbled mess, with 36 races spanning 168 days across four continents. It's an illogical narrative that even seasoned fans struggle to follow. Compare this to tennis, which, despite its own complexities, has a logical structure and flow centered around the Grand Slams.
Former rider Michael Woods highlights the need for a refined calendar, one that brings the sport's biggest stars together more frequently and on diverse terrains. The One Cycling project proposed a strategy where teams would send their best riders to specific races, ensuring a higher concentration of talent at the most prestigious events.
Fan Engagement and the Social Media Revolution
Cycling needs to embrace the digital age and learn from other sports like Formula 1. When Liberty Media took over F1, they revolutionized fan engagement, shifting the focus to social media and digital platforms. The result? A rejuvenated sport with a broader, younger audience.
Bas Tietema, a former pro cyclist turned YouTube star, understands the power of social media. His team, the Unibet Rose Rockets, has done more in three years to attract a new generation of fans than many teams have in three decades. They've prioritized fan engagement, taking viewers behind the scenes and offering constant content.
The numbers speak for themselves. The official Formula 1 YouTube channel boasts 14.5 million subscribers, while the Tour de France lags behind with just 626,000. Cycling has the potential to do so much better in the digital space.
Rider Safety: A Scandal in Disguise
The topic of rider safety has gained traction in recent years, and for good reason. Cycling takes place on open roads, in all weather conditions, with riders pushing the limits in nothing but Lycra. While helmets are now mandatory, the sport needs to do more to protect its athletes, who are, after all, the stars of the show.
The SafeR project is a step in the right direction, but terrible crashes still occur, as seen in the Milan-San Remo Women's race. Other dangerous sports, like Formula 1, have made significant strides in athlete safety. The Grand Prix Drivers' Association is an active voice for driver rights and safety, something cycling's Cyclistes Professionnels Associés (CPA) could learn from.
Michael Woods puts it bluntly: "The tacit acceptance of injury in the sport is insane." He highlights the precarious nature of rider contracts and the pressure to perform, which leads to less stability and respect within the peloton.
Woods believes reducing peloton sizes could improve safety, suggesting a reduction in team sizes to create a safer racing environment. He also acknowledges the challenges posed by changing road infrastructure and global warming, but insists that more can and should be done to protect riders.
Conclusion
Cycling has the potential to be a thrilling, globally appealing sport, but it needs a comprehensive overhaul. From calendar reform to a digital revolution and improved rider safety, the changes required are significant. It's time for cycling to catch up with its more progressive sporting counterparts and truly embrace the modern era.
