Скачать или смотреть The UNACCEPTABLE way Intermarché-Wanty & Lotto are treating their riders and staff

Even in the big-budget WorldTour era, pro cycling remains very much a gig economy, with riders and supporting staff alike in precarious situations.

Of course, there have been circumstances beyond the control of the decision-makers at Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty. The costs of running a top-level team are spiralling, and their respective backers were not able to plug all the gaps in their respective budgets. In that light, there is an obvious economic logic to the merger between two Belgian teams. Nobody, not even the riders and staff who will be left on the sidelines in 2026, would argue with that.

The problem, however, is the lack of empathy and respect that has been afforded to those most affected by the fusion of the teams. Cycling teams are quick to present themselves as family operations when times are good, but too many retain the habit of abruptly pulling down the shutters and behaving like corporations when it suits them. In situations like this, the extended ‘family’ of riders, mechanics and soigneurs are very quickly reduced to euros and cents on a balance sheet.

Pro cycling, like all top-level sport, will always be a ruthless business, but that should never be an excuse for treating people like commodities.

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