“I don’t think the future is about controlling everything” - ProCyclingStats CEO critical of ASO’s centralization of cycling
CyclingSaturday, 11 July 2026 at 13:45
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.
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“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.
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- Pretty easy to imagine scenarios. E.g. 300m out someone goes for it, all try to get into someone’s wheel except one guy not last who unexpectedly just rides on at his pace (whether neatly or not). And hop, he’ll be around 9 seconds off at the finish.Jumpyjohn11-07-2026
- Too much for me, attacking, defending, agreeing disagreeing, understanding or not, hard to tell what he’s really saying.Jumpyjohn11-07-2026
- he should be mountain bike racing in the world cups. he would have more fun, get more headlines, and it would serve his personal goals better.mij11-07-2026
- Duh.Renz11-07-2026
- I suppose you can show why the studies on athlete fueling are actually BS, right?acem8211-07-2026
- the official narrative is "nutrition" when it comes to explaining the difference in levels from year to year. every single rider points to nutrition. In armstrong's era it was cadence, work ethic and equipment. froome and co. actually got caught but used MUE's. the truth will come out with all of these guys.whkman11-07-2026
- It’s a long race - lots can happenCrashjames11-07-2026
- Projection - “if I was JV, I’d probably climb off” - but, Wiggins, you aren’t even in the same league as JV.Crashjames11-07-2026
- There should be a survey of TV ratings as well as the size of crowds at cycling events, ever since Pogacar burst onto the scene - especially for those races in which he is participating. That would give you the correct picture.Cooldude11-07-2026
- There's a reason why he's a champion and they're not. Hate him or not he's racing to win or get damn near close instead or trying just to settle for 3rdbruins3011-07-2026
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