In the spring of 2022, we faced a challenging decision about whether to continue as a professional cycling team recognized by the UCI. We encountered numerous challenges that led us to question the role of small, private teams in the cycling world.

Our journey began in late 2018 when we initiated a voluntary effort, uniting passionate individuals from various parts of the world. Most of our support came from sponsors in China, and by 2019, we had earned the status of a UCI continental team. This achievement wasn’t without hurdles, as we had to overcome significant obstacles arising from the COVID-19 pandemic and political issues in Belarus, where our team had been based since 2021.

Our roots can be traced back to Ukraine in 2018 when we assembled riders from Ukraine, Belarus, Mongolia, and Serbia. Our mission was clear: to provide these riders with a second chance in their cycling careers and a platform to showcase their talents. In 2021, we made the strategic decision to transfer our team’s registration from Ukraine to Belarus, driven by considerations related to competition and UCI regulations.

A gratifying part of managing the team was our role in educating and supporting our riders. The knowledge we shared about efficiently managing a team with limited resources proved invaluable in the modern cycling landscape. Our example and connections even inspired the launch of new UCI-registered professional teams in Eastern Europe and Asia, including Belaz in Belarus, Ferei Mongolia in Mongolia, Eurocar in Ukraine, and Ferei CCN Metalac in Serbia.

Back in 2016, my involvement in launching and sponsoring the UCI Continental Team in the USA, CCB Velotooler, left me amazed at its ability to thrive on a modest budget. My astonishment grew when the team successfully ventured into international competition.

Our European team, despite operating on a budget four times smaller, embarked on extensive travel. In our most successful year, we earned prize money five times the size of our annual budget, resulting in an impressive 500% Return on Investment (ROI) that directly benefited our riders. This illustrated that, even with budget constraints, our team consistently delivered exceptional performance. Nevertheless, generating revenue in cycling beyond jersey sponsorships remains a formidable challenge.

Challenges in the Cycling:

Generating revenue for teams in the current cycling system is challenging, mainly due to the absence of profit-sharing from media broadcasting. Most teams heavily rely on marketing and sponsor agreements. Unfortunately, securing television exposure to showcase sponsors for continental teams is a tough task. Televised races primarily spotlight World Tour-level teams, with sporadic mentions of Pro-level teams. This limited TV coverage poses a considerable challenge for continental teams seeking visibility and attracting sponsors.

Furthermore, the sport and the industry are clearly shifting toward individualization. This trend makes it challenging to market the sport as a team-based activity, as marketing efforts increasingly revolve around individual athletes and social media influencers, sidelining the importance of sponsoring the entire team. Despite these challenges, investing in professional continental cycling teams is essential for the vitality of road cycling. I firmly believe that UCI-based grants or targeted support for small continental teams should be part of the solution to ensure their continued existence and growth. Without these teams and the enthusiasts who build them, competitive road cycling will face challenges beyond funding

The Vital Role of Continental Teams:

Teams such as ColoQuick from Denmark, boasting talents like Jonas Vingegaard, Ljubljana Gusto from Slovenia with the remarkable Tadej Pogačar, and Adria Mobil, also from Slovenia, home to Primož Roglič, serve as examples of how crucial it is to invest in continental teams. They nurture and develop most of the sport’s talented athletes and deserve strong support.

I extend my heartfelt thanks to those dedicated to the growth and success of road cycling. It’s a challenging endeavor despite its popularity. Your passion and commitment are vital in protecting and advancing the future of this incredible sport.