ANALYSIS: Why is there no American race on the UCI World Tour?

With just two events left of the 2024 UCI World Tour, cycling fans have treated to some of the sport's most memorable races this year. From the Tour de France to the Giro d’Italia, cycling's biggest stages are set in Europe, where the sport thrives. Yet, with 35 events making up the World Tour calendar, there’s a glaring omission: not a single race takes place in the United States, a country with one of the highest populations in the world and a massive outdoor sports culture.

Gone are the days of the Tour of California, the Tour de Georgia, and the Tour of Utah, races that once gave the US a strong presence in professional cycling. The absence of a UCI World Tour race in America reflects not just a missing slot on the calendar but also a deeper struggle for road cycling in the US. What happened to cycling's golden age in the US, and why can’t the country support a major World Tour race anymore?

A decade ago, the US boasted 19 UCI-registered professional teams. Today, that number has fallen to 11, and the top American squads, such as EF Education-EasyPost and Lidl-Trek, are primarily based in Europe. The decline in American road racing was epitomised by the cancellation of the Amgen Tour of California in 2020, once the country’s most prestigious race and a UCI World Tour event.

The Tour of California, established in 2006, quickly grew in stature, attracting international stars and becoming a crucial proving ground for up-and-coming American cyclists. Riders like Tejay van Garderen, Andrew Talansky, and Taylor Phinney all made names for themselves on California’s roads, while European legends like Peter Sagan and Bradley Wiggins used the race as a stepping stone to further success. In fact, Tadej Pogacar was the winner of the last edition back in 2019, and we all know what the Slovenian has gone on to achieve.

However, the cancellation of the race was a blow not just to these riders but to American cycling as a whole. It deprived the US of its showcase event, one that brought cycling closer to fans and inspired the next generation of racers.

The official reasons for the Tour of California’s cancellation were financial difficulties and the challenges of securing sponsorship. With high operational costs, including logistics, road closures, and broadcasting, the race became unsustainable without sufficient backing. The knock-on effect has been significant, with fewer opportunities for American cyclists to race on home soil at a high level and showcase their talents to local audiences.

The cancellation of the Tour of California mirrors a wider trend in American cycling, where road racing at both grassroots and professional levels is struggling to maintain its footing. The National Cycling League (NCL), an innovative attempt to revive professional road racing in the US, suspended its 2024 season and terminated all current contracts for riders and staff. Launched in 2023 with grand ambitions, the NCL aimed to turn cycling into a more mainstream spectator sport in the US by introducing teams with equal pay for men and women and focusing on fan engagement.

However, despite these forward-thinking ideas, the league faced significant financial turmoil from the outset. In its debut season, the NCL had to drop one of its first four races and make last-minute changes to venues and dates, signalling deeper operational challenges. While the NCL has plans to return in 2025 with an improved business model, its struggles highlight the difficulty of making cycling financially viable in the US.

The CEO of the NCL, Andrea Pagnanelli, has been vocal about the need to build a sustainable cycling league that can attract both sponsors and fans. However, the setbacks of the 2024 season emphasise just how tough that task is. The NCL’s vision for cycling, one that includes equal pay and greater fan engagement, is promising, but it requires a strong financial foundation to succeed.

While road racing participation is in decline, gravel racing is experiencing a surge in popularity across the US. Gravel events, such as the famed Unbound Gravel in Kansas, are attracting thousands of riders. In 2023, Unbound saw over 5,000 participants, with the event's registration filling up within minutes. Unlike road races, gravel races offer a unique, festival-like atmosphere that resonates with American cyclists and fans alike.

Gravel racing’s appeal lies in its accessibility, community spirit, and safety. Unlike road races, which take place on busy highways and often require extensive police support for traffic control, gravel races are typically held on remote, low-traffic roads, reducing logistical challenges and safety concerns. Riders also appreciate the versatility of gravel bikes, which allow them to tackle both off-road terrain and paved roads, making them more practical for casual use.

The success of gravel events in the US may be contributing to the decline of road racing. Many cyclists who would have traditionally taken part in amateur road races are now flocking to gravel events instead. Gravel racing offers a more relaxed and inclusive environment, one that often prioritises personal achievement over competition. For event organisers, gravel races are also more cost-effective, requiring fewer resources to host.

However, while gravel racing is booming at the grassroots level, it doesn’t translate into the same professional opportunities that road racing does. This leaves American cyclists with fewer opportunities to turn professional and compete at the highest level on home soil.

Despite the struggles of professional road racing, cycling remains a hugely popular activity in the US. In 2023, more than 51 million Americans participated in cycling, making it the third most popular outdoor activity in the country. Nearly 80% of Americans over the age of six took part in some form of physical activity that year, and cycling plays a key role in the country’s outdoor lifestyle.

However, while millions of Americans ride bikes, the culture of competitive cycling hasn’t translated into widespread spectator appeal or mainstream popularity like other sports. In contrast to the NFL, NBA, or Major League Baseball, professional cycling doesn’t attract massive audiences or generate significant revenue from broadcasting rights and sponsorship deals in the US. This makes it difficult for race organisers to secure the financial backing needed to sustain high-level events.

For many Americans, cycling is more of a recreational activity than a competitive sport. This cultural divide between participation and professional spectating has been a hurdle for race organizers trying to grow the sport’s presence in the US. While Europe has a deeply rooted cycling culture that dates back over a century, the US lacks a similar tradition, making it harder for cycling events to compete with more established sports.

The future of road racing in the US remains uncertain. Without a major UCI World Tour race, American cyclists and fans are missing out on a crucial connection to the sport’s top tier. The cancellation of the Tour of California, the financial struggles of the National Cycling League, and the rise of gravel racing all point to the challenges facing road cycling in the US.

Yet, there are reasons for optimism. The popularity of cycling as an outdoor activity suggests that there is a significant audience for the sport, even if it hasn’t yet fully translated into professional racing. If organizations like the NCL can overcome their financial hurdles and gravel racing continues to grow, there may be opportunities to reinvigorate road racing in the US.

The path forward likely involves finding new ways to engage with fans, securing sustainable sponsorship models, and embracing the broader cycling community. The US may not have a World Tour race right now, but with the right support and vision, American cycling could still find its place on the global stage once again.