Breaking Away - "Top cycling teams explore creating new competitive league"

[Rob5091]

Not at all. In what ways were the two projects even related?

Not directly, but they're both privately funded projects that have basically said the same PR schpiel. As the kids say nowadays, it's not good optics.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

National Cycling League goes under - https://velo.outsideonline.com/road...w-the-national-cycling-league-abruptly-ended/
"According to sources, in just a few minutes in a one-way conversation, officials told riders that the series was “out of money, pausing operations, and all contracts are terminated effective immediately,” said one source, who requested anonymity.

The call was brief, less than five minutes, and no one was allowed to ask any questions, sources said.

An e-mail was forwarded providing written and legal notices, including a reminder that a non-disclosure agreement remained in effect despite the termination of contracts.

Riders were paid through April — with salaries reportedly at only $3,000 per season for top riders — and had until Tuesday to put in expense reports."

So how will this impact the big OneCycling project?

Denver Disrupted.

 

[Rob5091]

Jumping on the Tour PR blitz, OneCycling tries to make themselves relevant -
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/ex...t-gains-traction-through-private-equity-deal/

“It’s not about becoming rich, it's about creating a better balance in the sport."

Yeah, it's really a f**king charity and to "generate new revenue and monetize fan engagement" just for giggles ...

 

[Izzyeviel]

For those of us with goldfish minds, whats the TLDR on One Cycling?

 

[Rob5091]

For those of us with goldfish minds, whats the TLDR on One Cycling?

For those goldfish and other pets amongst us, OneCycling is the latest attempt by rich people to get even richer by making cycling more "modern" and making fans pay more for the privilege of watching pro-cycling.

 

[Potomac]

I think this whole thing is a tempest in tea cup. Nothing is going to happen.

 

[pastronef]

Escape Collective has a piece on ONE CYCLING backed by Saudi money (at first I wrote BAKED, without the "C". well, that fits too...)

The proponents of pro road racing's ambitious reform plan are optimistic that it’s finally going to happen in the coming weeks.

 

[Berniece]

Escape Collective has a piece on ONE CYCLING backed by Saudi money (at first I wrote BAKED, without the "C". well, that fits too...)

The proponents of pro road racing's ambitious reform plan are optimistic that it’s finally going to happen in the coming weeks.

Nice, looking forward to what the plan is.

 

[pastronef]

Nice, looking forward to what the plan is.

criterium/circuit style races with ticket entry

 

[Berniece]

criterium/circuit style races with ticket entry

Yeah, but I want to know all the things around it too. I'm not opposed to some more criteruim/circuit races. Everyone loves a great WC.

 

[pastronef]

Yeah, but I want to know all the things around it too. I'm not opposed to some more criteruim/circuit races. Everyone loves a great WC.

it's a Plugge idea so it feels, well, meh.
I also hope ASO says fück it, and keeps its races.
I would be ok with RCS joining, they are always after money and visibility (can't blame them)

 

[Berniece]

it's a Plugge idea so it feels, well, meh.
I also hope ASO says fück it, and keeps its races.
I would be ok with RCS joining, they are always after money and visibility (can't blame them)

ASO will definitely not participate, they want to keep the money and power for themselves.

 

[Samamba]

ASO will definitely not participate, they want to keep the money and power for themselves.

what people don't understand is that ASO has and needs a partnership with the French government. They have to use public roads for their races. The Tour is only the Tour cause they can use the French mountains and scenery. Even if the ASO would like the Saudi money, I doubt the French government would let them ruin their race.

 

[Berniece]

what people don't understand is that ASO has and needs a partnership with the French government. They have to use public roads for their races. The Tour is only the Tour cause they can use the French mountains and scenery. Even if the ASO would like the Saudi money, I doubt the French government would let them ruin their race.

That's true, but I also think there's a lot of ego in it. Some people prefer to be the biggest fish in the pond, instead of a smaller one in the ocean.

 

[pastronef]

That's true, but I also think there's a lot of ego in it. Some people prefer to be the biggest fish in the pond, instead of a smaller one in the ocean.

there's NOTHING One Cycling and the Saudis can do to take away from us Le Pic du Midi de Bigorre or Le Col de La Croix de Fer or the Albi Cathedral view with the peloton rolling by.
I'll watch the TDF with teams Nice Metropole, Van Rysel Roubaix, Wagner, Tarletetto, Arkea and Burgos rather than a circuit race.
ASO and the TDF will become the last standing ones, even if forced by the French government (which I'll thank always)

 

[Berniece]

there's NOTHING One Cycling and the Saudis can do to take away from us Le Pic du Midi de Bigorre or Le Col de La Croix de Fer or the Albi Cathedral view with the peloton rolling by.
I'll watch the TDF with teams Nice Metropole, Van Rysel Roubaix, Wagner, Tarletetto, Arkea and Burgos rather than a circuit race.
ASO and the TDF will become the last standing ones, even if forced by the French government (which I'll thank always)

I don't think they want to do that. Like I said, I'm looking forward to the proposed plan.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

My expectation is same pig, new lipstick.

 

[Rob5091]

criterium/circuit style races with ticket entry

Sounds like it and would not be surprised if they're in Asia or certain African countries.

 

[Rob5091]

Promising more cash for race organizers now, which presumably will come from the likes of ordinary fans - can n't wait for my "mou is a profit!" T'shirt.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fr...has-changed-again-but-could-launch-very-soon/

Now One Cycling is expected to work with selected existing race organisers to try to monetize cycling fans in new and different ways.

 

[Berniece]

Promising more cash for race organizers now, which presumably will come from the likes of ordinary fans - can n't wait for my "mou is a profit!" T'shirt.
https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/fr...has-changed-again-but-could-launch-very-soon/

Interesting article but didn’t say much. Basically we still don’t know anything

 

[houtdffan]

basically, the Saudis paid off the UCI

 

[Berniece]

basically, the Saudis paid off the UCI

Who would’ve thought Lappartient could be bought

 

[Mayomaniac]

The Saudis are indeed stupid.
They have 5-6 climbs that are harder than the Zoncolan, so they could just buy a big stage race and pull a Dakar by relocating it. They have the money to pay big starting fees too...

 

[Bolder]

Nice, looking forward to what the plan is.

I sort of am, too. The sponsorship-only revenue model is not great for cycling. Anything to equalize the playing field between the superteams and the rest.

That said, I have almost zero interest in watching a canned race in a Mideast petro-state.

 

[Berniece]

That said, I have almost zero interest in watching a canned race in a Mideast petro-state.

Depends, when there aren't many other races on I also watch UAE Tour or AlUla Tour. Which can be entertaining. It all depends on the course and who is riding it.