“I don’t think the future is about controlling everything” - ProCyclingStats CEO critical of ASO’s centralization of cycling
Cycling
The battle over data and governance in professional cycling has found a new critical voice in Stephan van der Zwan, co‑founder and CEO of ProCyclingStats. The platform has become essential for fans, journalists, and professional teams. Its growing influence has also put it at the heart of several disputes, notably with Tour de France organizer ASO, which in recent years has prevented the company from displaying its branding during the race.
In an extensive interview with La Vanguardia, the Dutch entrepreneur defended the role of independent platforms and challenged any attempt to monopolize information within the sport and its biggest event.
Far from adopting a belligerent tone, Van der Zwan insisted his “#SayMyName” campaign is not a declaration of war but a call for recognition. “It’s not a rallying cry; it’s a demand for respect for us, for the riders, and for independent initiatives that add value to cycling,” he explained.
The Dutch executive believes the relationship with ASO is the exception rather than the rule. He stressed that most organizers maintain an excellent relationship with PCS, even inviting them to collaborate on data projects and fan engagement.
“If everything comes from one source, there’s less perspective”
The ProCyclingStats CEO’s main concern centers on the possibility that major players in cycling try to centralise all the sport’s information. In his view, that would be the wrong path.
“I don’t think the future of cycling lies in centralising everything,” he said bluntly. “If everything came from a single source, there would inevitably be fewer perspectives, less innovation, and less independent analysis. That wouldn’t be healthy for any sport.”
Van der Zwan argued for coexistence between official sources and independent platforms, saying both models can complement and strengthen each other. Fans, he said, deserve choice, teams need independent analysis tools, and journalists must be able to verify information without relying on a single source.
The entrepreneur also addressed criticism of the PCS business model, which blends free services with premium subscriptions and data analytics products for professional teams. Far from hiding its commercial nature, he defended the project’s economic sustainability.
Read also
“We don’t sell cycling, we invest in cycling”
“Loving cycling and building a sustainable business are not contradictory. In fact, one makes the other possible,” he said. “We don’t sell cycling; we invest in cycling.”
Another live issue involves the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its Andorran development team. He said the conflict arose after the squad’s exclusion from the Tour of Bosnia and Herzegovina, an episode that led PCS to question how certain regulations were applied.
“We’re not asking for special treatment; we’re asking for consistency, transparency, and predictability in enforcing the rules,” he noted. At the time the team was pulled out last minute after making the international trip, creating an episode that brought the event to the spotlight - for negative reasons.
Beyond institutional clashes, Van der Zwan highlighted the community roots of ProCyclingStats, a platform born from fan passion that, two decades after its creation, still defends an open, plural, and accessible model of cycling.
In a sport increasingly shaped by the strategic value of data, the PCS co‑founder’s words serve as a clear warning: the future of cycling, he argues, should not be built on absolute control but on the coexistence of official structures and independent innovation.
Javier RampeCycling Journalist
Javier Rampe is a sports analyst with more than 15 years of experience. He holds a degree in Economics from the University of Rome and a Diploma in Business Studies from the University of Cádiz. Despite coming from an academic background not particularly associated with cycling, his passion for both cycling and journalism was instilled in him from an early age. He grew up following Miguel Indurain and José María “El Chava” Jiménez. An admirer of Michael Robinson’s communication style and journalistic approach, he was inspired to pursue a degree in Journalism at the University of Buenos Aires, which he is currently completing.
He has always maintained close ties with the worlds of sport and culture, contributing from a young age to sports blogs and film and music review websites. His work has appeared in media outlets such as Cope, RAI, and Radio Con Vos. He is also the founder of the cycling-focused podcast El Contraanálisis and the football interview channel Días De Fútbol, dedicated to conversations with professional footballers.
In addition to his work at Ciclismoaldia, Javier has interviewed some of the most influential figures in modern cycling, including Alejandro Valverde and Tadej Pogačar, as well as key voices in anti-doping policy such as Alberto Yelmo, David Varillas, and Marcelo Milano. Marcos Maynar, in relation to the ‘Operación Ílex’ case, is also among the personalities he has interviewed. He enjoys conducting in-depth analysis of the cycling ecosystem and has attended major events such as Strade Bianche, the Vuelta a Andalucía, and Itzulia, as well as numerous national cyclo-cross races.
His background in economics, combined with extensive experience in marketing and corporate communications, drives his continuous study of positioning strategies and ensures that he always keeps his focus on crafting compelling and evocative headlines.
claps 1visitors 1
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- again, nothing is going to be resolved. it is a discussion board. I simply said I didn't see how MS impeded LBs sprint. the UCI doesn't care about my thoughts, and I am really not that emotionally invested in it.mij09-11-2026
- provoke change, lol. this is a discussion board. nothing is going to change by what I say here. just commenting that it didn't look like MS impeded Brand. beyond that not trying to go too deep.mij09-11-2026
- as excellent as maga rednecks chloe dygert (and quinn simmons)?Ketterechts09-11-2026
- so what i understand is: i left a comment calling out the endless author CVs for being an unnecessary flex of expertise, and you responded by lecturing me (and others) on discrimination and value systems. hats off to you. you definitely lost me!Ketterechts09-11-2026
- I just love the flood of Americans into the top ranks of world cycling. In addition to being studs on the bike, they all seem to be excellent emissaries for our country.Occam09-11-2026
- ANATOMY OF A G.O.A.T. EDDY MERCKX about TADEJ POGAČAR: Merckx: “He has revived a style of cycling that we had almost forgotten. He is now better than me.” Key statements by Merckx about Pogačar in 2026: - Acknowledging his superiority: This time, Merckx openly admitted, without any subsequent backtracking or reservations, that Pogačar had surpassed him and was now above him. This contrasts with 2024, when he quickly softened his remarks about Pogačar being faster. - The possibility of a historic triple (Giro, Tour and Vuelta): During the July Tour de France (where Pogi claimed his fifth title), Merckx stated that Pogi was the only cyclist in history capable of winning all three Grand Tours (the Giro d'Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España) in a single season, provided the conditions were right and he had sufficient team support. - Lack of serious competition: Merckx emphasised that Pogačar has no real rivals in the mountains since 2024, thanks to his extraordinary climbing ability and the fact that he continues to improve despite still being under 28 (he turned 28 in autumn 2026). - Praise for his racing style: Merckx highlighted how Pogačar is bringing back the aggressive, uncompromising spirit of cycling's golden era, when races were not merely about calculated stages and tactical conservatism, but about attacking from long distances. PS: This is not "boring" ... this is called making real history, not only statistical history. Capish?PogiSloFans09-11-2026
- It’s off-season mate, I’m bored and fed up with the mediocrity of people unwilling to provoke change when they admit things aren’t right. What have you done lately to make anyone realise you won’t put up with things? What conversation, are you dictating to me which part of the incident I have to be interested in or telling me other parts are taboo? That’s what I guess the UCI would really like, let them moan, let it blow over for them pass on to the next thing, let’s keep the status quo, let’s try our best not reviewing or revealing anything about decision-making just like every time before, they’re used to it by now so we can take the risk they’ll never give us grief.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- As far as CUTD headlines go this is far from the worst. It helps if you look at it twice and realise it’s a list of descriptions from distinct events. You can’t deny the reality of being a rival if you consider the picture immediately below, frontrunner is unfortunate but I’m guessing this time it’s more a linguistic failure than a clickbaiting opportunity. Just a reminder that this is not an anglo website, for those who find it too tedious to interpret text to get the gist of things which are rarely of great importance (as opposed to eg purposely biaised DOJ extradition translations in order to achieve hidden agendas), there are plenty of anglo cycling websites google can suggest.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- Ah, finally someone willing to be a bit proactive.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
- So? Do you understand the way instructions, decisions and authority work? Do you think in a football match if after a match (or even after play has gone on) a player tells the referee he did touch the ball with his hands when the referee didn’t award opponents a penalty that they will revise the score or force a replay? You really don’t get my point, it’s not against the rider but everyone here is so emotional for her they can’t get back to an issue which needs resolving for the future and the first step (or maybe second) is to try to understand how and why it happens, none of you have contributed in the least to that. All everyone is interested in is letting everyone know they agree how unjust it was, not even sure anyone thinks that could affect anything.Jumpyjohn09-11-2026
Loading
Write a comment