But taken as a whole, the below changes to the structure, focus and marketing of professional cycling could start to revitalise the sport, positioning it as a leader in forging strong links between fans, participants and the racing community. The information poverty even amongst the most senior stakeholders in the sport was cited in numerous interviews for this research as a significant problem. As a result of the extremely fractured organisation and governance of professional cycling (discussed above and below), there is a lack of reliable data on which to judge performance in terms of audience growth. Where the sport has been successful in growing its audience, it has failed to document that success. This trend highlights one of the sport’s key strategic weaknesses: cycling has simply not done enough to become more understandable, exciting and accessible to a wider and younger fan base. In the women’s side of the sport, these problems are even more pronounced despite a general uptick in the fanbase from an extremely small base at the start of the 21st century. Several high profile event organisers have complained of the poor value of television broadcast rights and cited the parallel challenge of maintaining in-person attendance at bike races as a major challenge for growth. Whilst there are regular reports of increased audience numbers for prestige events, particularly the Tour de France, there is little evidence that the global rise in cycling participation has been matched with meaningful engagement with the professional sport, especially beyond its most well-known races. Five points less is not much, while Oliveira (who won a race) has 14 less.Professional cycling’s viewership has consistently declined over the past 20 years, even though the sport has retained its traditional fanbase in Western Europe. To make the balance better there is Rins, who has made a good start to the season, he is in the black, both for points (+31) and for podiums (+2) but the accident caused by Nakagami in Barcelona that broke Alex's wrist weighs a lot.īrad Binder is missing a win, but given KTM's problems, the South African rider is doing a half miracle to keep up with last year's results. The news of the retirement of the Japanese manufacturer has undoubtedly had an effect on the riders and Joan is 57 points and 4 podiums down on 2021. Suzuki between highs and lows, Binder saves KTM, Honda collapsesĪt Suzuki, Mir stands out but in a negative way. On the other hand, Luca Marini, who needs a podium to prove his growth, is having a positive season. ![]() Miller, who has not yet managed to repeat his victories of 2021, has not had many high points either. This season he has had problems on his bike and in his carpal tunnel, he has been on the podium several times but he has missed a high point. Worse is Martin who has 6 points less than in 2021, but last year he had to miss 4 races due to the terrible accident in Portimao and was affected by the injury for at least two more. Enea has more than three times the points, three wins, but in the last four races, between crashes and under-par performances, he has changed his course. The same goes for Bastianini, but with a few more extenuating circumstances, being only in his second year in the top flight. His 28 points less than 2021 is all there and certifies what could have been but was not. Last year the rider from Piedmont had not won even one race, while this season the number of victories is already 3, but crashes exceed it with 4 (including the one caused by Nakagami). Exactly the opposite of Pecco Bagnaia, very fast but too irregular. Pramac's French rider has proved to be consistent but without any high points. This is thanks to his Aprilia which has evolved to reach the level of the best competition, but above all to the Spanish rider who is not only fast but also consistent (the only one to have always reached the finish line).Īnd the Ducatis? Zarco, the best placed in the standings, is in line with last year: 18 points less, the same number of podiums and one more crash this year. Needless to say, the numbers are impressive: he has more than double the points compared to a year ago (151 against 67, an impressive difference of 84), as well as 5 podiums and a win. ![]() If Fabio is not surprising, Espargarò is.
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