An illogical calendar, 'crazy' attitudes towards safety, and an outdated relationship with its fans – What needs to change for cycling to catch up with other sports?

Professional cycling is at a crossroads as it seeks to modernise the WorldTour and enhance its global appeal. The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) has initiated a consultation process to gather input from stakeholders on how to achieve greater stability, growth, and fan engagement. This follows broader discussions about reforming the sport’s governance, introducing budget caps, and leveraging the Tour de France’s influence. Key figures within cycling and experts from other sports, such as Formula 1 and football, have contributed ideas aimed at revolutionising pro cycling’s structure and presentation. A major focus lies on the current race calendar, which is widely regarded as overly complex and disconnected from the needs of modern fans and riders. The 2026 men’s WorldTour calendar spans 36 races across multiple continents over 168 days, with a similarly packed Women’s WorldTour schedule. Critics argue that this bloated calendar dilutes the quality of competition and creates an incoherent narrative, making it difficult for fans to follow rivalries or understand the season’s flow. Former professional Michael Woods advocates for a streamlined calendar that concentrates star riders in the most prestigious events, thereby fostering more frequent head-to-head battles and reducing the pressure on riders chasing UCI ranking points. Safety concerns and the sport’s approach to risk also feature prominently in the debate. The current points system, which rewards consistent placings even outside podium finishes, is said to contribute to increased stress and crashes as riders push hard to secure minor positions. Woods suggests eliminating the points chase in favour of a focus on race winners, which could reduce reckless racing and improve rider welfare. Additionally, restricting WorldTour races to WorldTour teams would simplify the competition and prevent lower-tier events from overshadowing marquee races, making the sport more accessible to new audiences. Fan engagement is another critical area where cycling lags behind other professional sports. Bas Tietema, a former pro turned team owner and content creator, exemplifies how innovative media strategies can revitalise interest in the sport. His ProTeam, Unibet Rose Rockets, invests heavily in social media and video content to offer fans unprecedented behind-the-scenes access and storytelling. This approach mirrors the transformation seen in Formula 1 since its acquisition by Liberty Media, where a strategic emphasis on entertainment and digital engagement has significantly broadened the sport’s appeal. Looking ahead, cycling faces the challenge of balancing tradition with innovation to remain relevant and competitive in the crowded sports market. Reforming the race calendar, prioritising rider safety, and embracing modern fan engagement techniques are seen as essential steps. The UCI’s ongoing consultation offers an opportunity for the sport to adopt best practices from other disciplines and create a more coherent, compelling, and sustainable future for professional cycling.