{"id":2041537,"date":"2026-07-13T08:38:59","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T05:38:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041537"},"modified":"2026-07-13T08:38:59","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T05:38:59","slug":"all-that-glitters-is-not-gold-half-of-tour-de-france-teams-searching-for-title-sponsors-to-fund-rising-rider-salaries","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2041537","title":{"rendered":"All that glitters is not gold \u2013 Half of Tour de France teams searching for title sponsors to fund rising rider salaries"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-2560-80.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 1 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZiomMXhFDRZ2voo7MYAiLF-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-4 h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">1<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    10 luxury watches of the Tour de France: The best timepieces we&#8217;ve seen from cycling&#8217;s biggest race\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none upnext-article-divider\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 2 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-160-80.png.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/CYPGxQTakxaJUTn9ufEBUE-80-80.png.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">2<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"m-0 box-border flex flex-row items-center pr-2.5 gap-[15px] w-[278px] h-20 flex-none\" role=\"listitem\" aria-label=\"Recommended article 3 of 3\">\n<div class=\"relative flex-none w-20 h-20\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-160-80.jpg.webp 160w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Hh4P2ZsrXtmWxqibv8WiZE-80-80.jpg.webp 80w\" sizes=\"80px\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex items-center justify-center absolute w-[18px] h-6 left-0 top-0 bg-white\/90 flex-none z-[1]\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><span class=\"font-normal text-base leading-[17px] tracking-[1.3px] uppercase text-black flex-none\">3<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex flex-col items-center justify-center gap-1.5 w-[173px] h-20 flex-none\">\n<p class=\"font-article-heading font-medium text-base leading-[21px] text-gray-800 w-[173px] line-clamp-3 group-hover:underline\">\n                                    Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage wins record? Crunching the numbers\n                                <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>All that glitters is not gold \u2013 Half of Tour de France teams searching for title sponsors to fund rising rider salaries<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-13T08:38:59Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;The market value of the top 5% of riders is so high that cycling is no longer the bargain value proposition that it was 10 years ago&#8217; says one team manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b440-7dfb-11f1-9074-bde6cc27e199\">All that glitters is not gold. The Tour de France is the biggest event in professional cycling, the crown jewel of our sport and the highlight of the season. Yet below the glitter of the famous big-name riders, million-dollar salaries, $10,000 bike tech and global television coverage, there is deep concern about the viability of the sport.<\/p>\n<p>One influential team manager told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>that at least ten Tour de France teams are currently looking for a new title sponsor to secure their long-term funding, with three teams at risk of closure at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b440-7dfb-11f1-9074-bde6cc27e199-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Super teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike and Decathlon CMA CGM have budgets estimated to be close to $50 million per season but most other teams are struggling to compete.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Rider salaries are increasing far faster than inflation and faster than the cycling market can sustain. Pro cycling teams now compete with Formula 1 and British Premier League football clubs for title-sponsor deals.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ineos recently welcomed Netcompany as title sponsor, with the deal reported to be worth \u20ac100 million ($117 million) over the next five years. Soudal-QuickStep are due to make a major announcement about their future on Monday&#8217;s rest day but the list of teams desperately searching for major new sponsors is growing, with teams often competing against each for sponsors.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports&#8217; &#8211; Visma-Lease a Bike hopes Tour de France TTT success can boost search for superteam sponsorship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;The three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France director backs salary cap for professional cycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">A billion-dollar business soon to be a relic? What pro cycling can learn from the blueprints of F1 and soccer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mobile communications giant Movistar have a contract with the Spanish team until 2029 but <em>Bloomberg <\/em>recently reported they are looking for a partner to help with the sponsorship cost or even an early exit. Australian businessman Gerry Ryan has confirmed that he will end his long-time funding of the Jayco AlUla team after 2027, while the NSN project is searching for a major title sponsor to fund the team they secured from the demise of Sylvan Adam&#8217;s Israel-Premier Tech set-up.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Picnic PostNL&#8217;s WorldTour license for 2027 depends on sponsor guarantees, while Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-EasyPost are looking for major new sponsors to help them step up or remain at super team level. Even Ineos have admitted they are willing to give up their naming rights to allow a new sponsor to take a major role and further boost their budget.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Teams are in an arms race to secure bigger sponsors to pay higher wages in the hope they can be successful in the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Ten years ago, if a company sponsored a team with $25 million and asked if they could win the Tour de France, the answer would have been absolutely &#8216;Yes.&#8217; Now the answer is &#8216;Not really,'&#8221; one team manager, who did not want to be identified, told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, highlighting the reality of the search for sponsors.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s a hard pill to swallow for a lot of potential sponsors and so they go and look at F1 or soccer instead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Never go on social media&#8217; \u2013 How top teams try to ensure fans&#8217; wild Tour de France fever doesn&#8217;t keep their star riders awake at night<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We are unique team and I think people are attracted to that&#8217; \u2013 EF Education hope a successful Tour de France will secure new title sponsor<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;If we have to take a step back, we will&#8217; &#8211; Despite imminent Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part on home soil, long-established Spanish ProTeam risks folding at end of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"costs-rising-faster-than-investment-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Costs rising faster than investment<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b5c6-7dfb-11f1-87db-373b054769b3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 2026 men&#8217;s team budgets total \u20ac663 million according to UCI numbers seen by <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, with average women&#8217;s team budgets rising even faster and now above $5 million. The average men&#8217;s team budget has risen from \u20ac31.1 million to \u20ac33.1 million for 2026. In 2023 it was just \u20ac26.2 million. A <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team budget feature highlighted that 87% of WorldTour team revenue comes from sponsors, confirming the precariousness of the sport&#8217;s business model.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The budgets of a few very well financed teams like UAE, Red Bull, Pinarello-Q36.5 are not correlated to the marketing metrics that they&#8217;re producing,&#8221; the team manager pointed out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then the market value of the top five per cent of riders has become so high that cycling is no longer the bargain value proposition that it was 10 years ago. We&#8217;re all living dangerously by spending so much of our budgets on rider salaries.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike team manager Richard Plugge is looking for a new title sponsor to increase his budget so he can continue to compete with Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Norwegian software brand Visma is not willing to spend more than $20 million per season. Plugge has backing from the owners of Pon and Dutch businessman and team shareholder Robert van der Wallen but is searching for a new sponsor willing to invest close to $30 million per year in the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The search is going well, and we have a lot of interest in our team, which I think is rightfully so. I think we are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports,&#8221; Plugge told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> during the first week of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re a sponsor and want to be with a team that is strong in Grand Tours, then you should be with us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Plugge accepts that pursuing new sponsorship is like chasing Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France: It&#8217;s never easy and never stops.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Sponsorship is a continuous search for everyone in sport, it&#8217;s the same in football, in Formula 1, it&#8217;s part of our business,&#8221; Plugge told Cyclingnews.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Every year, sponsors go away and others come in. It can be stressful but it&#8217;s all part of the precarious business model of pro cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0a32c854-7dfe-11f1-8818-2bfa031d0bb9\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0a32c8c2-7dfe-11f1-b697-3986840f1d81\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A growing number of stakeholders in the sport, including some team managers, UCI President David Lappartient and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme are in favour of some form of budget cap to try to create a level playing field and so more balanced and entertaining racing. However, major change is always slow in pro cycling and there is a fear that several teams will close due to a lack of new sponsors before any kind of budget cap is introduced.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the moment, the three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders. So that there is real competition, the most promising cyclists need to go to numerous, different teams,&#8221; Prudhomme told <em>The Athletic<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;[UAE Team Emirates] have the means to buy the best riders every year. So it is necessary to rebalance that.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then, private entrepreneurs in businesses need to be able to still invest. Without that, it\u2019s too expensive\u2026 it\u2019s very important for the future of cycling. But I cannot say whether a solution will be found in the coming years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Plugge led the One Cycling project to try to change the business model of pro cycling but the UCI used their complex rulebook and veiled threats to block their plans last summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The budget cap is very important, but I think the team should come up with the details,&#8221; Plugge said, highlighting the need for revenue sharing across the sport to create stability.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There are two different economics in pro cycling. We have nothing to do with the economics of organisers, and the organisers have nothing to do with our economics. If we work together, then we can decide things together. As long as there are separate and often competing economies in the sport, we&#8217;re all going to struggle.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other leading team manager that <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> spoke to left the Tour in the first week to make a presentation and pitch to a potential new title sponsor. They were also part of One Cycling and believe in working together with Tour de France organiser ASO to create a more sustainable sport. The problem is if ASO, and the Amaury Family that owns ASO, will ever agree to revenue sharing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If team budgets were made up of 50% sponsorship revenue and 50% shared revenue, we&#8217;d have far fewer teams desperately looking for new sponsors,&#8221; the team manager suggested.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It would also allow title sponsorships in the $10 million region, rather than much higher. I&#8217;d love to make a budget cap and business plan like that happen. The whole sport would benefit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-0a32c94e-7dfe-11f1-a7fc-dbf185867d8d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<p id=\"elk-0a32c9ee-7dfe-11f1-bb16-65ab67e3450e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports&#8217; &#8211; Visma-Lease a Bike hopes Tour de France TTT success can boost search for superteam sponsorship<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France director backs salary cap for professional cycling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A billion-dollar business soon to be a relic? What pro cycling can learn from the blueprints of F1 and soccer<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Never go on social media&#8217; \u2013 How top teams try to ensure fans&#8217; wild Tour de France fever doesn&#8217;t keep their star riders awake at night<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We are unique team and I think people are attracted to that&#8217; \u2013 EF Education hope a successful Tour de France will secure new title sponsor<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If we have to take a step back, we will&#8217; &#8211; Despite imminent Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part on home soil, long-established Spanish ProTeam risks folding at end of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;One of the most challenging goals I have ever spoken out loud&#8217; becomes stunning reality as off-road star Kate Courtney enters the Women&#8217;s WorldTour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He lost it on one day, he can turn it around on one day&#8217; \u2013 What now for Jonas Vingegaard and Visma after ending Tour de France first week with 2:42 deficit to Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Nice to have friends in the peloton&#8217; \u2013 Michael Matthews benefits from a small act of sportsmanship on the Tour de France&#8217;s hottest day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I wasn&#8217;t happy, we had to change something&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard reveals he considered stepping away from pro cycling last year<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">QuickStep to end 24-year title sponsorship of Soudal-QuickStep team \u2013 but a replacement is lined up for 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That played in my favour in the end&#8217; \u2013 The harder it got, the more Mathieu van der Poel thrived in brutal Tour de France breakaway<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Ambush territory&#8217; &#8211; Why there could be major surprises in the coming Tour de France stages through the Massif Central<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;One of the most challenging goals I have ever spoken out loud&#8217; becomes stunning reality as off-road star Kate Courtney enters the Women&#8217;s WorldTour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He lost it on one day, he can turn it around on one day&#8217; \u2013 What now for Jonas Vingegaard and Visma after ending Tour de France first week with 2:42 deficit to Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Nice to have friends in the peloton&#8217; \u2013 Michael Matthews benefits from a small act of sportsmanship on the Tour de France&#8217;s hottest day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eight injured after press car crashed through barriers 500 metres before Tour de France stage finish in Corr\u00e8ze<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not every road bike has to be an aero spaceship&#8217; &#8211; Cerv\u00e9lo launches a brand-new Soloist<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">American Criterium Cup: Tyler Williams and Skylar Schneider seal L39ION of Los Angeles sweep at Boise Twilight elite races<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Gravel Earth Series: Geerike Schreurs dominates five days at Oregon Trail Gravel while Cameron Jones retakes lead from Ian Boswell on final stage for men&#8217;s overall<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Ambush territory&#8217; &#8211; Why there could be major surprises in the coming Tour de France stages through the Massif Central<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He lost it on one day, he can turn it around on one day&#8217; \u2013 What now for Jonas Vingegaard and Visma after ending Tour de France first week with 2:42 deficit to Poga\u010dar?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"page-content-onecol flex-1\nnews-article article\n\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"widget-area-group widget-area-group-2col flex flex-wrap box-border\">\n<div id=\"widgetArea16\" class=\"widget-area basis-full md:basis-2\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-2-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-2-3 page-widget-area-16\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"hero\" id=\"hero\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-hero widget-hero widget-hero-hero widget-hero widget-hero-fter-news\">\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>All that glitters is not gold \u2013 Half of Tour de France teams searching for title sponsors to fund rising rider salaries<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-13T08:38:59Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;The market value of the top 5% of riders is so high that cycling is no longer the bargain value proposition that it was 10 years ago&#8217; says one team manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div data-widget-type=\"contentparsed\" id=\"content\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-contentparsed widget-content widget-contentparsed-content widget-content-parsed widget-content-parsed-content_document \">\n<div class=\"wcp-item-content\">\n<section class=\"content-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"box less-space hero-image-wrapper\">\n<figure class=\"mb-0\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1200-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-750-80.jpg.webp 750w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 600px, 100vw\" \/><figcaption class=\"font-article-copy text-(--image--text--color) font-article-copy mt-2\"><span class=\"credit font-article-copy\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b440-7dfb-11f1-9074-bde6cc27e199\">All that glitters is not gold. The Tour de France is the biggest event in professional cycling, the crown jewel of our sport and the highlight of the season. Yet below the glitter of the famous big-name riders, million-dollar salaries, $10,000 bike tech and global television coverage, there is deep concern about the viability of the sport.<\/p>\n<p>One influential team manager told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>that at least ten Tour de France teams are currently looking for a new title sponsor to secure their long-term funding, with three teams at risk of closure at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b440-7dfb-11f1-9074-bde6cc27e199-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Super teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike and Decathlon CMA CGM have budgets estimated to be close to $50 million per season but most other teams are struggling to compete.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Rider salaries are increasing far faster than inflation and faster than the cycling market can sustain. Pro cycling teams now compete with Formula 1 and British Premier League football clubs for title-sponsor deals.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ineos recently welcomed Netcompany as title sponsor, with the deal reported to be worth \u20ac100 million ($117 million) over the next five years. Soudal-QuickStep are due to make a major announcement about their future on Monday&#8217;s rest day but the list of teams desperately searching for major new sponsors is growing, with teams often competing against each for sponsors.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports&#8217; &#8211; Visma-Lease a Bike hopes Tour de France TTT success can boost search for superteam sponsorship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;The three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France director backs salary cap for professional cycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">A billion-dollar business soon to be a relic? What pro cycling can learn from the blueprints of F1 and soccer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mobile communications giant Movistar have a contract with the Spanish team until 2029 but <em>Bloomberg <\/em>recently reported they are looking for a partner to help with the sponsorship cost or even an early exit. Australian businessman Gerry Ryan has confirmed that he will end his long-time funding of the Jayco AlUla team after 2027, while the NSN project is searching for a major title sponsor to fund the team they secured from the demise of Sylvan Adam&#8217;s Israel-Premier Tech set-up.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Picnic PostNL&#8217;s WorldTour license for 2027 depends on sponsor guarantees, while Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-EasyPost are looking for major new sponsors to help them step up or remain at super team level. Even Ineos have admitted they are willing to give up their naming rights to allow a new sponsor to take a major role and further boost their budget.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Teams are in an arms race to secure bigger sponsors to pay higher wages in the hope they can be successful in the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Ten years ago, if a company sponsored a team with $25 million and asked if they could win the Tour de France, the answer would have been absolutely &#8216;Yes.&#8217; Now the answer is &#8216;Not really,'&#8221; one team manager, who did not want to be identified, told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, highlighting the reality of the search for sponsors.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s a hard pill to swallow for a lot of potential sponsors and so they go and look at F1 or soccer instead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Never go on social media&#8217; \u2013 How top teams try to ensure fans&#8217; wild Tour de France fever doesn&#8217;t keep their star riders awake at night<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We are unique team and I think people are attracted to that&#8217; \u2013 EF Education hope a successful Tour de France will secure new title sponsor<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;If we have to take a step back, we will&#8217; &#8211; Despite imminent Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part on home soil, long-established Spanish ProTeam risks folding at end of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"costs-rising-faster-than-investment-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Costs rising faster than investment<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b5c6-7dfb-11f1-87db-373b054769b3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 2026 men&#8217;s team budgets total \u20ac663 million according to UCI numbers seen by <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, with average women&#8217;s team budgets rising even faster and now above $5 million. The average men&#8217;s team budget has risen from \u20ac31.1 million to \u20ac33.1 million for 2026. In 2023 it was just \u20ac26.2 million. A <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team budget feature highlighted that 87% of WorldTour team revenue comes from sponsors, confirming the precariousness of the sport&#8217;s business model.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The budgets of a few very well financed teams like UAE, Red Bull, Pinarello-Q36.5 are not correlated to the marketing metrics that they&#8217;re producing,&#8221; the team manager pointed out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then the market value of the top five per cent of riders has become so high that cycling is no longer the bargain value proposition that it was 10 years ago. We&#8217;re all living dangerously by spending so much of our budgets on rider salaries.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike team manager Richard Plugge is looking for a new title sponsor to increase his budget so he can continue to compete with Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Norwegian software brand Visma is not willing to spend more than $20 million per season. Plugge has backing from the owners of Pon and Dutch businessman and team shareholder Robert van der Wallen but is searching for a new sponsor willing to invest close to $30 million per year in the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The search is going well, and we have a lot of interest in our team, which I think is rightfully so. I think we are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports,&#8221; Plugge told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> during the first week of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re a sponsor and want to be with a team that is strong in Grand Tours, then you should be with us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Plugge accepts that pursuing new sponsorship is like chasing Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France: It&#8217;s never easy and never stops.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Sponsorship is a continuous search for everyone in sport, it&#8217;s the same in football, in Formula 1, it&#8217;s part of our business,&#8221; Plugge told Cyclingnews.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Every year, sponsors go away and others come in. It can be stressful but it&#8217;s all part of the precarious business model of pro cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0a32c854-7dfe-11f1-8818-2bfa031d0bb9\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0a32c8c2-7dfe-11f1-b697-3986840f1d81\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A growing number of stakeholders in the sport, including some team managers, UCI President David Lappartient and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme are in favour of some form of budget cap to try to create a level playing field and so more balanced and entertaining racing. However, major change is always slow in pro cycling and there is a fear that several teams will close due to a lack of new sponsors before any kind of budget cap is introduced.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the moment, the three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders. So that there is real competition, the most promising cyclists need to go to numerous, different teams,&#8221; Prudhomme told <em>The Athletic<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;[UAE Team Emirates] have the means to buy the best riders every year. So it is necessary to rebalance that.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then, private entrepreneurs in businesses need to be able to still invest. Without that, it\u2019s too expensive\u2026 it\u2019s very important for the future of cycling. But I cannot say whether a solution will be found in the coming years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Plugge led the One Cycling project to try to change the business model of pro cycling but the UCI used their complex rulebook and veiled threats to block their plans last summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The budget cap is very important, but I think the team should come up with the details,&#8221; Plugge said, highlighting the need for revenue sharing across the sport to create stability.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There are two different economics in pro cycling. We have nothing to do with the economics of organisers, and the organisers have nothing to do with our economics. If we work together, then we can decide things together. As long as there are separate and often competing economies in the sport, we&#8217;re all going to struggle.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other leading team manager that <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> spoke to left the Tour in the first week to make a presentation and pitch to a potential new title sponsor. They were also part of One Cycling and believe in working together with Tour de France organiser ASO to create a more sustainable sport. The problem is if ASO, and the Amaury Family that owns ASO, will ever agree to revenue sharing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If team budgets were made up of 50% sponsorship revenue and 50% shared revenue, we&#8217;d have far fewer teams desperately looking for new sponsors,&#8221; the team manager suggested.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It would also allow title sponsorships in the $10 million region, rather than much higher. I&#8217;d love to make a budget cap and business plan like that happen. The whole sport would benefit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-0a32c94e-7dfe-11f1-a7fc-dbf185867d8d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<p id=\"elk-0a32c9ee-7dfe-11f1-bb16-65ab67e3450e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block mb-5\" id=\"articleTag\" data-component-name=\"PostArticleLinks\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"post-article-links\">\n<div class=\"border-b border-b-black border-solid py-2.5 text-black font-bold uppercase\">TOPICS<\/div>\n<nav class=\"py-2.5 flex gap-2.5 flex-wrap\" data-analytics-id=\"article-tag\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-tag\">\n<p>Road<\/p>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"slice-container-authorBio-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza\" class=\"slice-container slice-author-bio authorBio-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza slice-container-authorBio\">\n<div class=\"author author__default-layout author--separator author--collapsible\" data-hydrate=\"true\">\n<div class=\"author__header\">\n<div class=\"author__avatar-block\">\n<figure class=\"image-wrapped__wrapper\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"false\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__widthsetter\">\n<div class=\"image-wrapped__aspect-padding\">\n<div><source class=\"author__avatar image-wrapped__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn-140-80.jpg.webp 140w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/3CCmsgV6sDgU5yLthueHtn.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__heading\">\n<div class=\"author__name\">Stephen Farrand<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__social\">\n<nav class=\"button-social-group author__social-buttons\" aria-labelledby=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">\n<div id=\"button-social-group- author__social-buttons\">Social Links Navigation<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__role\">Editor-at-large<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author__bio-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"author__biography\">\n<p>Stephen is one of the most experienced members of the <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team, having reported on professional cycling since 1994. Before becoming Editor-at-large, he was Head of News at <em>Cyclingnews.<\/em> He has previously worked for <em>Shift Active Media, Reuters<\/em> and <em>Cycling Weekly. <\/em>He is a member of the Board of the Association Internationale des Journalistes du Cyclisme (AIJC).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<div class=\"relative max-w-[1070px] viafoura-twig-component mt-6 mx-4 lg:mx-0\" data-component-name=\"Viafoura:Comments\" data-nosnippet data-community-guidelines-text=\"&lt;p class=&apos;vfcustom-community-guidelines&apos;&gt;Please follow our &lt;a href=&quot;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/about\/#section-community-guidelines&quot; target=&quot;_blank&quot;&gt;community guidelines&lt;\/a&gt;.&lt;\/p&gt;\" data-join-the-conversation-text=\"Join the Conversation\">\n<div class=\"absolute top-0 left-0 w-full h-full flex items-center justify-center z-50 bg-white\/90 border-1 rounded-b-[var(--comment-widget-border-radius,0)]\">\n<div class=\"p-2 text-center\">\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-lg!\">You must confirm your public display name before commenting<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-3 text-sm!\">Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<section class=\"mx-2 my-5 sm:mx-0\">\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-adviser:hybrid\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Read more<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports&#8217; &#8211; Visma-Lease a Bike hopes Tour de France TTT success can boost search for superteam sponsorship<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;The three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France director backs salary cap for professional cycling<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Pro Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">A billion-dollar business soon to be a relic? What pro cycling can learn from the blueprints of F1 and soccer<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Never go on social media&#8217; \u2013 How top teams try to ensure fans&#8217; wild Tour de France fever doesn&#8217;t keep their star riders awake at night<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;We are unique team and I think people are attracted to that&#8217; \u2013 EF Education hope a successful Tour de France will secure new title sponsor<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;If we have to take a step back, we will&#8217; &#8211; Despite imminent Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part on home soil, long-established Spanish ProTeam risks folding at end of 2026<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-category\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in Teams &amp; Riders<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;One of the most challenging goals I have ever spoken out loud&#8217; becomes stunning reality as off-road star Kate Courtney enters the Women&#8217;s WorldTour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He lost it on one day, he can turn it around on one day&#8217; \u2013 What now for Jonas Vingegaard and Visma after ending Tour de France first week with 2:42 deficit to Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Nice to have friends in the peloton&#8217; \u2013 Michael Matthews benefits from a small act of sportsmanship on the Tour de France&#8217;s hottest day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/ZZ37AieyGfKPBBLvD7rCf3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;I wasn&#8217;t happy, we had to change something&#8217; \u2013 Jonas Vingegaard reveals he considered stepping away from pro cycling last year<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tBFeUExR7HKoGoHFSJPUk8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">QuickStep to end 24-year title sponsorship of Soudal-QuickStep team \u2013 but a replacement is lined up for 2027<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/e5bKHrrUguaxrE974cJtdE-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;That played in my favour in the end&#8217; \u2013 The harder it got, the more Mathieu van der Poel thrived in brutal Tour de France breakaway<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside class=\"w-full\" data-nosnippet data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-stacked\">\n<div data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-solr:latest-articletype\">\n<div class=\"text-white py-4 px-3 mb-4 bg-[#333] uppercase font-bold custom-header-styles\">Latest in News<\/div>\n<div class=\"grid grid-cols-1 gap-4 mt-4 mb-5\">\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Bdwo3DosWAAzYZwGHkXtzk-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Racing<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Ambush territory&#8217; &#8211; Why there could be major surprises in the coming Tour de France stages through the Massif Central<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a4DAKgMCiaoRYHB2dmcbV3-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Women&#8217;s Cycling<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;One of the most challenging goals I have ever spoken out loud&#8217; becomes stunning reality as off-road star Kate Courtney enters the Women&#8217;s WorldTour<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/JQQJAizYSEtJN542d3R4sA-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;He lost it on one day, he can turn it around on one day&#8217; \u2013 What now for Jonas Vingegaard and Visma after ending Tour de France first week with 2:42 deficit to Poga\u010dar?<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/eYQSVmJmcWuVeVpQKtqY7J-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Teams &amp; Riders<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Nice to have friends in the peloton&#8217; \u2013 Michael Matthews benefits from a small act of sportsmanship on the Tour de France&#8217;s hottest day<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-840-80.jpg.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-500-80.jpg.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-450-80.jpg.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/UnjLrN93iyMELCZsS3qFrJ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Safety<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">Eight injured after press car crashed through barriers 500 metres before Tour de France stage finish in Corr\u00e8ze<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"aspect-[var(--img-listing-aspect-ratio,16\/9)] relative mb-3.5\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-840-80.png.webp 840w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-650-80.png.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-500-80.png.webp 500w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-450-80.png.webp 450w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/RcttdNgbPApeDmBAhZLFZ-320-80.png.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 900px) 925px, (min-width: 700px) 450px, calc(100vw - 48px)\" \/><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"custom-subheading-styles\">Road Bikes<\/span><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block custom-text-styles\">&#8216;Not every road bike has to be an aero spaceship&#8217; &#8211; Cerv\u00e9lo launches a brand-new Soloist<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"relative recirc-feed sponsored-card min-h-[250px]\" data-recirc-id=\"article-river-stacked-ads:native-cards\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"article-river-ads\" data-nosnippet data-ad-slot-path=\"feed-sponsored-post\" data-attribute-device=\"all\">\n<div class=\"max-w-full sponsored-post--placeholder animate-pulse\">\n<div class=\"relative!\"><span class=\"text-base text-black font-bold mx-0 my-2.5 p-0 block bg-gray-100\">\u00a0<br \/>\u00a0<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"widgetArea17\" class=\"widget-area md:basis-1\/3 widget-area-g-md-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-lg-vp-1-3 widget-area-g-xl-vp-1-3 page-widget-area-17\">\n<div data-widget-type=\"dynamic\" id=\"popular-data\" class=\"clear-both widget widget-dynamic widget-popular-data widget-dynamic-popular-data widget-dynamic-fter-popular-box\">\n<div class=\"wdn-fte-pb pos-relative space-t20\n\"><\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-popularBox\" class=\"slice-container popular-box-slice popularBox slice-container-popularBox\">\n<section data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"popular-box\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__label__tab popular-box__label__tab--active\" role=\"heading\">LATEST ARTICLES<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<ol class=\"popular-box__articles-list popular-box__articles-list--active\">\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__image-wrapper\">\n<div><source class=\"popular-box__article-list__image image__image\" type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-320-80.jpg.webp 320w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-640-80.jpg.webp 640w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-720-80.jpg.webp 720w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w\" sizes=\"99vw\" data-normal=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E.jpg\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/erseBBeV373yYiYNHfZ65E.jpg\" data-pin-nopin=\"true\" data-slice-image=\"true\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">1<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">American Criterium Cup: Tyler Williams and Skylar Schneider seal L39ION of Los Angeles sweep at Boise Twilight elite races<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">2<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">Gravel Earth Series: Geerike Schreurs dominates five days at Oregon Trail Gravel while Cameron Jones retakes lead from Ian Boswell on final stage for men&#8217;s overall<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">3<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;Ambush territory&#8217; &#8211; Why there could be major surprises in the coming Tour de France stages through the Massif Central<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">4<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">&#8216;He lost it on one day, he can turn it around on one day&#8217; \u2013 What now for Jonas Vingegaard and Visma after ending Tour de France first week with 2:42 deficit to Poga\u010dar?<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"popular-box__article-list\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__container\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__content\">\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__number-text\">5<\/div>\n<div class=\"popular-box__article-list__heading\">In this extreme heat there&#8217;s less room to hide, it&#8217;s like you&#8217;re at altitude and some riders adapt better than others &#8211; Matej Mohori\u010d&#8217;s Tour de France diary<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"news-article\">\n<header data-component-name=\"Article:Hero\">\n<nav class=\"breadcrumb\" aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\">\n<ol>\n<li>\nPro Cycling\n<\/li>\n<li>\nTeams &amp; Riders\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/nav>\n<h1>All that glitters is not gold \u2013 Half of Tour de France teams searching for title sponsors to fund rising rider salaries<\/h1>\n<div class=\"byline-social\">\n<div class=\"vds-byline-block flex flex-row flex-nowrap my-1.5 gap-2 text-left items-start justify-start\" data-component-name=\"Article:BylineBlock\">\n<p>News<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-auto vds-simple-byline\"><span class=\"inline-block vds-author\"><br \/>\nBy<br \/>\nStephen Farrand <\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex gap-1 vds-byline-with-avatar__meta\"><span class=\"vds-date block font-normal tracking-normal normal-case text-xs\"><br \/>\nPublished<br \/>\n<time data-component-name=\"UI:DateTime\" datetime=\"2026-07-13T08:38:59Z\" class=\"relative-date\"><br \/>\n13 July 2026<br \/>\n<\/time><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"strapline\">&#8216;The market value of the top 5% of riders is so high that cycling is no longer the bargain value proposition that it was 10 years ago&#8217; says one team manager<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"text-gray-700 flex items-center mx-0 my-5 p-0 justify-start text-left\" id=\"affiliate-disclaimer\" data-component-name=\"AffiliateDisclaimer\" data-hawk-message=\"Affiliate disclaimer removed because hawk deemed there are no affiliate links on this page\">\n<p class=\"text-[color:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--text-color,inherit)] mb-2 text-[length:var(--affiliate-disclaimer--font-size,0.75rem)] leading-[18px] md:text-[13px] [&amp;&gt;a]:text-inherit [&amp;&gt;a]:underline\">\nWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here\u2019s how it works.\n<\/p>\n<\/aside>\n<\/header>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"article-body\" class=\"text-copy bodyCopy auto paywall-locker\">\n<div data-analytics-id=\"utility-bar\" id=\"utility-bar\" class=\"font-ui-heading flex justify-between items-center py-2 border-t border-b border-gray-300 border-solid mb-5 mx-auto\" data-component-name=\"UtilityBar\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"utility-bar\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div data-component-name=\"Social:Dropdown\" role=\"menu\" id=\"utilitybar__dropdown--share\" aria-labelledby=\"utilitybar__button--share\" class=\"absolute left-0 top-full w-44 bg-white rounded-md shadow-md border border-neutral-200 z-[9996] list-none m-0 py-2 px-3 border-solid\">\n<ul class=\"m-0!\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Facebook<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>X<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Pinterest<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"!p-0 !m-0 list-none border-b border-gray-200 border-solid\">\n<p>Email<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-share-this-article\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nShare this article\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\"><span class=\"ml-1 inline-flex h-5 px-2 shrink-0 items-center justify-center self-center overflow-hidden whitespace-nowrap rounded-[10px] bg-primary-500 text-[11px] leading-none font-ui-heading font-semibold text-white\">2<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-join-the-conversation\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nJoin the conversation\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex gap-2 text-[#333] subcontainer\">\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<p>Follow us<\/p>\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-add-us-as-a-preferred-source-on-google\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nAdd us as a preferred source on Google\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"relative tooltip-container\" role=\"tooltip\">\n<div class=\"font-ui-heading max-sm:hidden tooltip absolute left-1\/2 bg-gray-900 text-white text-xs leading-none px-3 py-1.5 rounded-md z-[10001] whitespace-nowrap\" id=\"tooltip-subscribe-to-our-newsletter\" role=\"tooltip\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\nSubscribe to our newsletter\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b440-7dfb-11f1-9074-bde6cc27e199\">All that glitters is not gold. The Tour de France is the biggest event in professional cycling, the crown jewel of our sport and the highlight of the season. Yet below the glitter of the famous big-name riders, million-dollar salaries, $10,000 bike tech and global television coverage, there is deep concern about the viability of the sport.<\/p>\n<p>One influential team manager told <em>Cyclingnews <\/em>that at least ten Tour de France teams are currently looking for a new title sponsor to secure their long-term funding, with three teams at risk of closure at the end of 2026.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b440-7dfb-11f1-9074-bde6cc27e199-2\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Super teams like UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Lidl-Trek, Visma-Lease a Bike and Decathlon CMA CGM have budgets estimated to be close to $50 million per season but most other teams are struggling to compete.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;jYDCcabO&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;gwjdoYHD&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_gwjdoYHD_jYDCcabO_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;X9\/mXVGac0NphghLH9hZaqWA5d3dhAM\/Ih07grnEyMLjuO2E&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] block h-[18px] w-auto shrink-0 brightness-0 invert\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container>\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/gmvwmhupgi1715762145.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"min-h-[44px] bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting><a class=\"invisible block truncate text-sm font-bold leading-5 text-white underline decoration-solid underline-offset-2\" data-jwp-carousel-signposting-link href target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span data-jwp-carousel-signposting-title>Watch full video here: <\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Rider salaries are increasing far faster than inflation and faster than the cycling market can sustain. Pro cycling teams now compete with Formula 1 and British Premier League football clubs for title-sponsor deals.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Ineos recently welcomed Netcompany as title sponsor, with the deal reported to be worth \u20ac100 million ($117 million) over the next five years. Soudal-QuickStep are due to make a major announcement about their future on Monday&#8217;s rest day but the list of teams desperately searching for major new sponsors is growing, with teams often competing against each for sponsors.<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            You may like<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/XAN2PBcXiaEXnBNRiHVAcm-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports&#8217; &#8211; Visma-Lease a Bike hopes Tour de France TTT success can boost search for superteam sponsorship<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/kdGipALERGNYkWpRfaZur-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;The three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders&#8217; \u2013 Tour de France director backs salary cap for professional cycling<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/8MsDaNHbjaSvZpTZSBHPg8-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">A billion-dollar business soon to be a relic? What pro cycling can learn from the blueprints of F1 and soccer<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Mobile communications giant Movistar have a contract with the Spanish team until 2029 but <em>Bloomberg <\/em>recently reported they are looking for a partner to help with the sponsorship cost or even an early exit. Australian businessman Gerry Ryan has confirmed that he will end his long-time funding of the Jayco AlUla team after 2027, while the NSN project is searching for a major title sponsor to fund the team they secured from the demise of Sylvan Adam&#8217;s Israel-Premier Tech set-up.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Picnic PostNL&#8217;s WorldTour license for 2027 depends on sponsor guarantees, while Visma-Lease a Bike, EF Education-EasyPost are looking for major new sponsors to help them step up or remain at super team level. Even Ineos have admitted they are willing to give up their naming rights to allow a new sponsor to take a major role and further boost their budget.<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-MabMa46iN4aqHASH78Fxza slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__header\">Get The Leadout Newsletter<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!<\/p>\n<footer class=\"newsletter-form__footer \">By submitting your information you agree to the Terms &amp; Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.<\/footer>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Teams are in an arms race to secure bigger sponsors to pay higher wages in the hope they can be successful in the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Ten years ago, if a company sponsored a team with $25 million and asked if they could win the Tour de France, the answer would have been absolutely &#8216;Yes.&#8217; Now the answer is &#8216;Not really,'&#8221; one team manager, who did not want to be identified, told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, highlighting the reality of the search for sponsors.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;That&#8217;s a hard pill to swallow for a lot of potential sponsors and so they go and look at F1 or soccer instead.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside data-component-name=\"Recirculation:ArticleRiver\" data-recirculation-type=\"inline\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"Trending Bar\" data-nosnippet class=\"clear-both pt-2 pb-0 mb-4\"><span class=\"\n            flex\n            after:content-[&apos;&apos;] after:flex-1 after:ml-4 after:my-[0.7rem] after:border-t after:border-solid after:border-t-[#ccc]\n            before:content-[&apos;&apos;] before:flex-1 before:mr-4 before:my-[0.7rem] before:border-t before:border-solid before:border-t-[#ccc]\n            font-article-heading pb-0 text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,1em)] uppercase sm:text-[length:var(--article-river-title--font-size,0.875em)] font-bold\n        \"><br \/>\n            What to read next<br \/>\n        <\/span><\/p>\n<ul class=\"flex flex-col gap-0 m-0 max-w-full\">\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-1\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-1\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-1\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/a2TXqrefnh7iNTXMrfDUHA-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;Never go on social media&#8217; \u2013 How top teams try to ensure fans&#8217; wild Tour de France fever doesn&#8217;t keep their star riders awake at night<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ededed] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-2\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-2\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-2\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/NYUPkagrbnBLNGefpCMQpR-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;We are unique team and I think people are attracted to that&#8217; \u2013 EF Education hope a successful Tour de France will secure new title sponsor<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 list-none border-b border-solid border-[#ccc] py-2\" data-recirculation-id=\"recirculation-card-3\" id=\"recirculation-inline-2-3\" data-analytics-id=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"recirculation-2-inline-3\">\n    <source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-250-80.jpg.webp 250w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b5QvCtPG95Un75CCNwGZ7S-150-80.jpg.webp 150w\" sizes=\"150px\" \/><span class=\"w-full text-base font-[var(--article-river-item--font-weight,500)] font-article-heading line-clamp-3 md:line-clamp-2\">&#8216;If we have to take a step back, we will&#8217; &#8211; Despite imminent Tour de France Grand D\u00e9part on home soil, long-established Spanish ProTeam risks folding at end of 2026<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/aside>\n<h2 id=\"costs-rising-faster-than-investment-3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Costs rising faster than investment<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-b976b5c6-7dfb-11f1-87db-373b054769b3\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The 2026 men&#8217;s team budgets total \u20ac663 million according to UCI numbers seen by <em>Cyclingnews<\/em>, with average women&#8217;s team budgets rising even faster and now above $5 million. The average men&#8217;s team budget has risen from \u20ac31.1 million to \u20ac33.1 million for 2026. In 2023 it was just \u20ac26.2 million. A <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> team budget feature highlighted that 87% of WorldTour team revenue comes from sponsors, confirming the precariousness of the sport&#8217;s business model.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The budgets of a few very well financed teams like UAE, Red Bull, Pinarello-Q36.5 are not correlated to the marketing metrics that they&#8217;re producing,&#8221; the team manager pointed out.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Then the market value of the top five per cent of riders has become so high that cycling is no longer the bargain value proposition that it was 10 years ago. We&#8217;re all living dangerously by spending so much of our budgets on rider salaries.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Visma-Lease a Bike team manager Richard Plugge is looking for a new title sponsor to increase his budget so he can continue to compete with Tadej Poga\u010dar and UAE at the Tour de France.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Norwegian software brand Visma is not willing to spend more than $20 million per season. Plugge has backing from the owners of Pon and Dutch businessman and team shareholder Robert van der Wallen but is searching for a new sponsor willing to invest close to $30 million per year in the team.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The search is going well, and we have a lot of interest in our team, which I think is rightfully so. I think we are one of the best sponsorship opportunities in sports,&#8221; Plugge told <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> during the first week of the Tour.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If you&#8217;re a sponsor and want to be with a team that is strong in Grand Tours, then you should be with us.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Plugge accepts that pursuing new sponsorship is like chasing Tadej Pogacar at the Tour de France: It&#8217;s never easy and never stops.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Sponsorship is a continuous search for everyone in sport, it&#8217;s the same in football, in Formula 1, it&#8217;s part of our business,&#8221; Plugge told Cyclingnews.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;Every year, sponsors go away and others come in. It can be stressful but it&#8217;s all part of the precarious business model of pro cycling.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout kiosq-b\" data-bordeaux-image-check id=\"elk-0a32c854-7dfe-11f1-8818-2bfa031d0bb9\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\">\n<source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1200w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-970-80.jpg.webp 970w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-650-80.jpg.webp 650w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-480-80.jpg.webp 480w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/Sjt4YMXHjJBdiUG2hgVoC8-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 1000px) 970px, calc(100vw - 40px)\" \/><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\" inline-layout\"><span class=\"credit\">(Image credit: Getty Images)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-0a32c8c2-7dfe-11f1-b697-3986840f1d81\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">A growing number of stakeholders in the sport, including some team managers, UCI President David Lappartient and Tour de France director Christian Prudhomme are in favour of some form of budget cap to try to create a level playing field and so more balanced and entertaining racing. However, major change is always slow in pro cycling and there is a fear that several teams will close due to a lack of new sponsors before any kind of budget cap is introduced.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;At the moment, the three or four richest teams hoover up all the best young riders. So that there is real competition, the most promising cyclists need to go to numerous, different teams,&#8221; Prudhomme told <em>The Athletic<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;[UAE Team Emirates] have the means to buy the best riders every year. So it is necessary to rebalance that.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;And then, private entrepreneurs in businesses need to be able to still invest. Without that, it\u2019s too expensive\u2026 it\u2019s very important for the future of cycling. But I cannot say whether a solution will be found in the coming years.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">Plugge led the One Cycling project to try to change the business model of pro cycling but the UCI used their complex rulebook and veiled threats to block their plans last summer.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;The budget cap is very important, but I think the team should come up with the details,&#8221; Plugge said, highlighting the need for revenue sharing across the sport to create stability.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;There are two different economics in pro cycling. We have nothing to do with the economics of organisers, and the organisers have nothing to do with our economics. If we work together, then we can decide things together. As long as there are separate and often competing economies in the sport, we&#8217;re all going to struggle.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">The other leading team manager that <em>Cyclingnews<\/em> spoke to left the Tour in the first week to make a presentation and pitch to a potential new title sponsor. They were also part of One Cycling and believe in working together with Tour de France organiser ASO to create a more sustainable sport. The problem is if ASO, and the Amaury Family that owns ASO, will ever agree to revenue sharing.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;If team budgets were made up of 50% sponsorship revenue and 50% shared revenue, we&#8217;d have far fewer teams desperately looking for new sponsors,&#8221; the team manager suggested.<\/p>\n<p aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">&#8220;It would also allow title sponsorships in the $10 million region, rather than much higher. I&#8217;d love to make a budget cap and business plan like that happen. The whole sport would benefit.&#8221;<\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-0a32c94e-7dfe-11f1-a7fc-dbf185867d8d\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\">\n<p id=\"elk-0a32c9ee-7dfe-11f1-bb16-65ab67e3450e\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"kiosq-b\"><strong>The world\u2019s biggest bike race deserves world-class coverage. Subscribe to Cyclingnews for unlimited access to our unrivalled reporting of the 2026 Tour de France. From Barcelona through to Paris, our experienced team will bring you breaking news, expert insight, and in-depth coverage from every stage as the battle for the yellow jersey plays out. Plus, access the Cyclingnews app to follow the action on the go! <\/strong><u><strong>Find out more.<\/strong><\/u><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.cyclingnews.com\/pro-cycling\/teams-riders\/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold-half-of-tour-de-france-teams-searching-for-title-sponsors-to-fund-rising-rider-salaries\/&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/az7Ds8N3JSAJGf2cAJDcWh-2560-80.jpg&#8221;] 1 10 luxury watches of the Tour de France: The best timepieces we&#8217;ve seen from cycling&#8217;s biggest race 2 Don&#8217;t be surprised by Poga\u010dar&#8217;s early dominance, history shows it&#8217;s how every serial Tour de France winner succeeds &#8211; Philippa York analysis 3 Will Tadej Poga\u010dar beat Mark Cavendish&#8217;s Tour de France stage [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,68],"class_list":["post-2041537","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-cyclingnews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041537","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2041537"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2041537\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2041537"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2041537"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2041537"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}