ANALYSIS | Is American road racing in decline? Exploring the future of cycling in the USA

As the 2024 road cycling season draws to a close, one can’t help but reflect on the current state of American road racing. Once a burgeoning force in the sport, the U.S. now finds itself in a precarious position, with fewer top-level teams, a dwindling presence in the European peloton, and an increasingly difficult pathway for young cyclists aiming to break through. At a glance, it’s tempting to declare American road racing in decline, but is that truly the full story?

In this series, we’ll explore the landscape of American road cycling, analyzing how we got here and whether a resurgence might be on the horizon. In this first article, we’ll introduce the key themes driving the conversation, from the steep challenges faced by the sport domestically to the rays of hope provided by the likes of Matteo Jorgenson and Sepp Kuss. We’ll also preview the coming articles, which will tackle everything from the financial woes stifling growth to the rise of alternative cycling disciplines like gravel racing.

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Where are the US teams?

Perhaps the most glaring indicator of American cycling’s struggles is the diminishing number of US-based teams at the sport’s highest level. Currently, the USA. boasts just two World Tour squads: EF Education-EasyPost and Lidl-Trek. This is a stark contrast to previous decades, when American teams were a regular feature of the European peloton. Iconic squads like Motorola, Discovery Channel, and BMC Racing helped elevate American cycling on the global stage, contributing to a vibrant era for the sport in the U.S. Today, however, that presence has dwindled considerably.

So, what has caused this downturn? The primary culprits seem to be a lack of participants and, more critically, dwindling funding to host major events. The Tour of California, once a premier race on the U.S. calendar and a vital stepping stone for young American riders to prove their worth, was cancelled in 2019. Tour of Utah, Colorado Classic and even most recently the emergent Maryland Cycling Classic were also amongst those cancelled. With fewer high-profile races on home soil, American riders are forced to head overseas earlier in their careers, often struggling to find opportunities in a European-centric sport.

While nations like Belgium, the Netherlands, and France continue to foster talent through well-funded grassroots programs, the U.S. has fallen behind. The pipeline of young American riders coming through the ranks has slowed, leaving the country with a smaller pool of talent at the sport’s highest levels.

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Despite these challenges, all is not lost. One rider, in particular, has given American cycling fans something to cheer about in 2024: Matteo Jorgenson. At just 25 years old, the Californian has emerged as one of the most exciting prospects in the sport. Jorgenson has had a strong season in 2024, and was the winner of Paris-Nice, a prestigious stage race that has long served as a proving ground for future Grand Tour contenders. His aggressive riding style and tactical intelligence have made him a standout in the peloton, and many believe he could be the country’s best hope for a future Grand Tour victory.

Jorgenson’s 2024 campaign wasn’t just about Paris-Nice. He came agonizingly close to winning a stage at the Tour de France, only to be beaten by the relentless Tadej Pogacar. Despite this disappointment, Jorgenson’s performances at the Tour showcased his versatility, and his role as Jonas Vingegaard’s key mountain domestique only added to his reputation. Alongside these achievements, Jorgenson also claimed victory at Dwars door Vlaanderen, a significant one-day race that further highlighted his all-around ability.

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Could Jorgenson be America’s next Grand Tour champion? The potential is certainly there, and his rise offers a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak period for American road racing.

While Jorgenson’s star continues to rise, another American rider has faced a more difficult 2024 season: Sepp Kuss. In 2023, Kuss made history by becoming the first American in over a decade to win a Grand Tour, triumphing at the Vuelta a España. His victory, achieved while riding for Jumbo-Visma, was a moment of triumph not just for Kuss but for American cycling as a whole.

However, 2024 has been a challenging year for Kuss. After contracting COVID-19, he missed the Tour de France, where he was expected to play a crucial role in helping Jonas Vingegaard defend his title. His attempt to defend his Vuelta crown fell flat, with Kuss finishing a distant 14th, more than 20 minutes behind the winner. While Kuss’s struggles this season have been well-documented, it’s worth remembering that cycling careers are full of peaks and valleys. Kuss remains one of the most talented climbers in the world, and with the right support, he could still return to his best.

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European Dominance and American Struggles

Jorgenson and Kuss represent the brightest American prospects, but their presence in the sport’s elite is relatively small compared to the country’s size. European riders have largely dominated the sport in recent years, and Americans have struggled to break through. Riders like Pogacar, Vingegaard, and Remco Evenepoel have set an extremely high bar, and while the U.S. has produced talented riders, they’ve often found it difficult to match the consistency and success of their European counterparts.

Part of the issue lies in the structure of American cycling itself. With limited funding and a dwindling race calendar, American riders lack the same developmental opportunities that their European peers enjoy. Additionally, the closure of the Tour of California has further stymied the growth of American road racing, as young riders now have fewer chances to race on home soil.

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The Rise of Gravel Racing

While road racing has faced significant challenges, it’s worth noting that other cycling disciplines have seen a surge in popularity in the U.S. In particular, gravel racing has become a major trend, with events like Unbound Gravel attracting elite cyclists from around the world. Gravel offers a different experience from traditional road racing, combining endurance with off-road technical skills, and it’s a discipline that has captivated many young American riders.

As gravel racing grows, it raises an interesting question: Could this be taking talent away from road racing? With more prize money, sponsorship opportunities, and media attention flowing toward gravel events, young athletes may see it as a more viable career path than the increasingly difficult road to success in professional road cycling.

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What’s Next?

So, why are there so few Americans at the forefront of the professional peloton? Is it due to a lack of funding, waning interest, or are other cycling disciplines more attractive to younger athletes in the USA? In the coming articles, we’ll dive deeper into the issues facing American road racing, from the grassroots level to the World Tour. We’ll also explore the role of gravel racing and ask whether American cycling can reinvent itself in the years to come.