This week, Cyclingnews takes a deep dive into the UCI WorldTour and the global reforms of professional cycling first introduced in 2005, and the impact it has had on the sport.
First, we looked at the history of cycling's other series. In part 2, we recapped the formation of the WorldTour and its challenges. In part 3, former UCI president Pat McQuaid recounted the struggles the WorldTour faced with Tour de France organisers ASO.
In this feature, we speak to UCI Management Committee member Bob Stapleton, formerly manager of the HTC-Highroad men's and women's teams about the negative impacts the WorldTour has had and what is needed to turn it around.
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The WorldTour has created some significant shifts in the economics of cycling, with the stability a guarantee of teams racing the top events luring in major sponsors, but it has fallen far short of solving all of the sport's problems.
While Team Sky's sports a massive €35 million budget and riders like Chris Froome and Peter Sagan draw unprecedented salaries in cycling, the sport continues to be dwarfed by rivals like tennis, golf, even MotoGP. While Sagan earns an estimated €5 million per year, Rafael Nadal raked in far more. Valentino Rossi is estimated to be worth $135 million. Top female golfer Sung Hyun Park makes as much or more than most male cyclists.
Bob Stapleton, chairman of the board of USA Cycling and newly elected to the UCI Management Committee, is hopeful that the time has come for positive changes. In addition to his roles in the Pro Cycling Council, and the technical commission, he is also chairing a new commission that will focus on improving the marketing and economics in cycling.
Less is more
Skewed budgets
Building a base
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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