UAE Dominates and Locks Down Pogačar, Status of African Cycling, and the Implications of the 2026 Promotion/Relegation Battle
The world of cycling has seen tectonic shifts in recent years. With powerhouse teams like UAE Team Emirates locking down top riders, a changing promotion/relegation landscape, and emerging talents from underrepresented regions, cycling is evolving at a rapid pace. Let’s dive into some of the most polarizing issues in the current cycling scene.
1. UAE Dominates and Locks Down Pogačar: Is Monopolizing Talent Healthy for Cycling?
When UAE Team Emirates extended Tadej Pogačar’s contract through 2027, it cemented their position at the top of the WorldTour hierarchy. Pogačar, a two-time Tour de France champion and the biggest name in cycling today, is a valuable asset. By securing him long-term, UAE aims to build a dynasty around this Slovenian prodigy, investing vast resources to shape a team that can support him in every race, from the Spring Classics to the Grand Tours.
But this dominance raises questions about the future of competition in cycling. Is UAE Team Emirates becoming too powerful? Critics argue that locking down such a high-caliber talent creates a gap that other teams struggle to close. UAE’s immense budget allows them to stack their roster with an army of domestiques dedicated solely to supporting Pogačar, potentially turning the peloton into a battlefield where only a few giants can realistically contend.
This situation also poses broader ethical questions: does it stifle young talent trying to break into top-tier racing? As teams consolidate power around megastars, cycling risks becoming an exclusive club, where only the wealthiest teams have a shot at glory. The cycling world watches closely as Pogačar’s contract may set a precedent that influences team-building strategies for years to come.
2. Status of African Cycling: A Bright Future or Missed Potential?
African cycling has shown flashes of brilliance in recent years, with riders like Biniam Girmay of Eritrea achieving impressive wins in high-profile races. African teams and cyclists have steadily gained recognition, but a lack of infrastructure, funding, and local support holds them back from realizing their full potential.
Major teams in Europe have taken note of Africa’s untapped talent pool, yet few have made significant investments to establish a sustainable development pipeline. With the continent producing remarkable athletes in running, swimming, and other endurance sports, cycling could follow suit if given the resources.
Africa’s potential in cycling is immense, but so are the barriers. Talented riders often have to relocate to Europe to find competitive teams and infrastructure, which can alienate them from their home communities and, ultimately, their heritage. Africa remains the most promising yet overlooked region in professional cycling. Without strategic investment, African cycling might remain a story of “what could have been.”
3. 2026 Promotion/Relegation Battle: Already Over Before It Began?
Cycling’s new promotion/relegation system is intended to create a fairer, more competitive WorldTour, where underperforming teams can be demoted while top-performing ProTeams are promoted. However, the system has already come under fire, with many claiming that it creates undue stress on smaller teams and increases the dominance of the already powerful WorldTour giants.
The 2026 cycle has intensified the pressure on teams to accumulate points aggressively, leaving smaller teams with fewer resources in a frantic scramble. And with relegation so high-stakes, many are questioning whether it truly improves the sport or just reinforces the current pecking order.
Promotion/relegation battles have sparked heated debates, with some arguing that the system favors teams with deep pockets that can afford to enter a wider range of races. While theoretically promoting merit, the system might end up pushing out less wealthy teams, decreasing diversity and opportunities in cycling. As it stands, cycling could see a much narrower field in 2026, leading to a series of closed-shop races that are more predictable and, ultimately, less thrilling.
4. No More Free Tour for UK: Brexit’s Impact on British Cycling
British cycling fans have traditionally enjoyed free access to the Tour de France broadcasts. However, this may be about to change as the impacts of Brexit trickle down to sports broadcasting. Cycling fans in the UK may now face restricted access or additional fees to watch major events due to complicated broadcasting rights and geopolitical barriers.
This shift could affect the sport’s popularity in the UK, a country that has seen a cycling renaissance over the past decade. With stars like Chris Froome and Geraint Thomas inspiring a new generation of fans, limiting access to the biggest race of the year could slow the sport’s momentum in the region.
If fans in the UK lose free access to the Tour de France, British cycling could face a substantial hit in its support base, as many new fans may lose interest without easy access to watch and engage with the sport.
Conclusion: A New Era in Cycling, with New Challenges
Cycling is at a crossroads. With UAE Team Emirates wielding power over top talent like Pogačar, the potential of African riders constrained by limited resources, a promotion/relegation system that may favor wealthier teams, and the UK’s Tour access facing possible restrictions, the sport is in uncharted territory. Whether these trends will foster a more inclusive, competitive environment or lead to greater monopolies remains to be seen.
One thing is certain: the cycling community is split on these issues, and the coming years will be critical for the future of the sport.
